GamStop, the UK's national online gambling self-exclusion scheme, has published its annual review revealing that 2025 saw the highest number of new registrations since the scheme's launch in 2018. More than 450,000 people registered with GamStop during 2025, bringing the cumulative total of registered self-exclusions to over 1.2 million. GamStop's CEO Fiona Palmer described the figures as evidence that awareness of the scheme is growing and that more people are taking proactive steps to manage their gambling before it escalates into severe harm.
Registration Trends and Demographics
GamStop's data shows that the majority of new registrations (approximately 65%) are from men, consistent with the higher prevalence of problem gambling among male gamblers. The most common age group registering is 25-34, followed closely by 35-44. A significant proportion of new registrants (around 40%) register for the maximum five-year exclusion period, suggesting that a large share of people using the scheme are experiencing serious gambling difficulties rather than seeking a temporary break.
Registration peaks tend to coincide with major sporting events (particularly football tournaments, Grand National week, and the Cheltenham Festival) when heightened gambling marketing and social pressure creates elevated risk periods for people with gambling difficulties. GamStop has worked with major operators to increase signposting to the service in the weeks surrounding these events, and this targeted awareness activity is credited with contributing to the record registration numbers.
Is Self-Exclusion Working?
Independent research commissioned by GamStop and the Gambling Commission shows that self-exclusion is effective for a significant proportion of users. Studies find that self-excluded individuals report meaningful reductions in gambling frequency and expenditure during their exclusion period, and that a majority do not immediately return to gambling when their exclusion expires. The most effective outcomes are associated with longer exclusion periods, simultaneous use of bank-level gambling controls, and engagement with counselling or peer support during the exclusion window.
The limitations of GamStop (its restriction to UKGC-licensed operators and its lack of coverage for physical gambling venues) remain challenges. Research indicates that a proportion of self-excluded individuals access unlicensed offshore sites during their exclusion period, partially undermining its effectiveness. GamStop and the Commission are working on improved information sharing with major internet service providers and device-level blocking solutions to address this gap, though a comprehensive solution remains complex to implement.
How to Register and What to Expect
Registering with GamStop takes approximately five minutes at gamstop.co.uk. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, all email addresses used for gambling accounts, home address, and phone number. GamStop recommends registering all email addresses you have ever used for gambling to maximise the scheme's effectiveness across all operator databases. After registration, your exclusion activates within 24 hours and cannot be cancelled or shortened for the duration you selected.
GamStop's registration process is free and confidential. Your data is shared only with UKGC-licensed operators for the purpose of enforcing your exclusion, it is not used for any other purpose and is not accessible to third parties including credit reference agencies. For comprehensive guidance on self-exclusion, combining GamStop with bank-level gambling controls, and accessing support during your exclusion period, see our /guides/responsible-gambling-guide/.
