How Gamstop Works
Gamstop is operated as a non-profit and has been mandatory for all UKGC-licensed operators since April 2020. Here is the basic process:
- You register at gamstop.co.uk with your personal details (name, date of birth, email, address)
- You choose a self-exclusion period: 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years
- All UKGC-licensed operators receive your details and must block your accounts within 24 hours
- You cannot reverse the exclusion before the chosen period ends
- After the period ends, exclusion stays active until you proactively contact Gamstop to remove it; it does not auto-expire
The system uses identity matching (name + date of birth + address) rather than just email, so creating a new account at a UKGC site with slightly different details is both against the terms of service and increasingly caught by operator verification systems.
Which Poker Sites Are on Gamstop?
Every poker site holding a UKGC license participates in Gamstop. This includes:
- PokerStars (Flutter/Stars Group)
- 888poker (888 Holdings)
- partypoker (Entain)
- bet365 Poker
- Unibet Poker (Kindred Group)
- Betfair Poker (Flutter)
- Sky Poker (Flutter)
- William Hill Poker (888 Holdings)
- Grosvenor Poker (Rank Group)
If a site accepts UK players and operates legally in the UK market, it is on Gamstop. There are no exceptions among UKGC licensees.
Poker Sites Not on Gamstop
Sites that are not licensed by the UKGC are not part of the Gamstop scheme. These include operators licensed in other jurisdictions: Curacao, Malta (MGA-only without UK license), Costa Rica, and others.
Some categories of non-Gamstop poker sites:
Cryptocurrency poker rooms: Several crypto-native poker sites operate outside UK licensing. These accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for deposits and withdrawals. They typically hold Curacao licenses or operate with minimal licensing. See our crypto poker room breakdown for specific rooms, rake structures, and what to expect.
Asian-facing networks: Networks primarily serving Asian markets may accept UK players without Gamstop restrictions, though player pool quality and peak hours will differ significantly from European rooms.
Offshore sites: Various offshore operators accept UK players without Gamstop verification. Regulatory protection is weaker at these sites. Deposit security, game integrity, and withdrawal reliability vary.
What You Lose Without UKGC Licensing
Playing at non-UKGC sites means:
- No UKGC dispute resolution if something goes wrong
- No segregated player fund requirements (your balance may not be protected if the operator fails)
- No mandatory RNG testing under UK standards
- No Gamstop protection if you want it reinstated later
- Potentially less reliable withdrawal processing
UKGC licensing exists to protect players, and stepping outside that framework means accepting more risk.
Can You Remove Yourself from Gamstop?
Yes, but only after your chosen exclusion period has fully elapsed. The process:
- Wait for your 6-month, 1-year, or 5-year period to end
- Contact Gamstop and request removal
- Gamstop imposes a 24-hour cooling-off period before processing
- Once removed, you can re-register with UKGC-licensed operators
You cannot shorten the exclusion period once it is set. There is no appeal process, no hardship exception, and no way to exclude yourself from only certain types of gambling while keeping poker active. Gamstop is all-or-nothing across all UKGC-licensed gambling products.
Live Poker Is Not Affected
Gamstop covers online gambling only. It does not apply to:
- Live poker in UK casinos and card rooms
- Private home games
- Live tournament series in the UK (GUKPT, UKPC, etc.)
If you are on Gamstop but still want to play poker, live games remain fully available. UK card rooms cannot and do not check the Gamstop register for in-person players.
The Responsible Gambling Perspective
Self-exclusion tools exist because gambling addiction is a real and documented condition. The UK Gambling Commission reports that approximately 0.3% of the UK adult population meets the criteria for problem gambling, with another 2-3% classified as at-risk.
If you self-excluded during a period of gambling harm, returning to poker, whether through non-Gamstop sites or by waiting out your exclusion period, deserves a slow and considered decision. The fact that workarounds exist does not mean they are the right choice for your situation.
Resources if you need them:
- GamCare: gamcare.org.uk / 0808 8020 133
- BeGambleAware: begambleaware.org
- Gamblers Anonymous UK: gamblersanonymous.org.uk
The practical decision comes down to why you registered. If it was gambling harm, wait out the exclusion and use Gamstop's removal process rather than an offshore workaround. If you want poker in the meantime, live games carry none of the regulatory trade-offs that non-UKGC sites do.
