GamStop is to be mandatory for all online gambling sites

The Gambling Commission has announced that support for the comprehensive self-exclusion scheme GamStop is to be a mandatory requirement for all online gambling sites by 31st of March 2020. The news was released alongisde the announcement of the ban on using credit cards to gamble online.

GamStop is a free service that lets UK gamblers self exclude from a large number of sites with one registration. Once registered, players will be unable to access their accounts on any site currently registered with GamStop.

This new change in Gambling Commission ruling means that every single online casino, slots, bingo or sports betting site with a GB license will be required to sign up and integrate their site with GamStop to keep operating after the end of March.

Helen Whatley, Culture Minister had the following to say: “By making it a regulatory requirement for all online gambling websites licensed in Great Britain to sign up to GamStop, I am confident that people who have taken the significant step to opt out of gambling will be well supported, alongside a wide range of other tools."

GamStop is used by over 100,000 people across the UK and is the most comprehensive self exclusion scheme on offer. Not only does it block access to your online gambling accounts, it also prevents you from signing up to any new sites and protects you from receiving gambling marketing too. 

If you want to learn more, we have a beginners guide to GamStop on our site that can get you started. For more information on how to gamble responsibly, read our responsible gambling guides.