A guide to national self-exclusion schemes including GamStop (UK), Spelpaus (Sweden), Rofus (Denmark), and iGO (Ireland) — how they work, how to register, and what to expect.
What Is Self-Exclusion?
Self-exclusion is a formal process where you voluntarily ban yourself from gambling at licensed operators for a set period or permanently. Unlike deposit limits, self-exclusion is a hard block — the casino must close your account and return any balance.
National self-exclusion schemes take this further: one registration blocks you from all licensed operators in that country simultaneously, without having to contact each casino individually.
GamStop (United Kingdom)
GamStop is the UK's national self-exclusion scheme, operated under a mandatory agreement with all UK Gambling Commission licensees. Registration at gamstop.co.uk blocks you from every UKGC-licensed gambling site and app.
Exclusion periods: 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. The minimum cooling-off to reverse a 6-month exclusion is 7 years from the start date — it's not easily undone.
How to register: Visit gamstop.co.uk, enter your name, date of birth, and email addresses used with gambling sites. Takes about 5 minutes. Takes effect within 24 hours.
Limitations: GamStop only covers UKGC-licensed operators. Offshore or unlicensed sites are unaffected. Gambling blocking apps (Gamban, Betfilter) can complement GamStop for broader coverage.
Spelpaus (Sweden)
Spelpaus is Sweden's national self-exclusion register, managed by Spelinspektionen (the Swedish Gambling Authority). All Swedish-licensed online casinos and sports betting operators are legally required to connect to it.
Exclusion periods: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, or permanent (indefinite).
How to register: Visit spelpaus.se and log in with BankID (Sweden's national digital identity system). The exclusion covers both online and land-based gambling within Sweden.
Unregistering: After the exclusion period ends, you must actively choose to reactivate. For permanent exclusions, the process is deliberately difficult and requires a 3-month wait plus Spelinspektionen approval.
Rofus (Denmark)
Rofus (Register Over Frivilligt Udelukkede Spillere) is Denmark's national scheme, administered by Spillemyndigheden. Danish-licensed operators are required to check the register before allowing play.
Exclusion periods: No fixed minimum — you set an end date. Or you can register permanently.
How to register: Via rofus.nu using NemID/MitID (Danish digital identity). Takes effect within minutes.
Coverage: Online casinos, land-based casinos, and retail betting all check Rofus. Comprehensive coverage across all licensed gambling in Denmark.
iGO (Ireland)
The Irish Gambling Regulator (iGO) launched a national self-exclusion register as part of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The register is being phased in as Irish gambling licensing moves fully under iGO.
Irish players can also contact individual operators directly for self-exclusion while the national register is being established. GamStop does not cover .ie-licensed operators.
Other National Schemes
- Australia (BetStop): National self-exclusion for Australian-licensed betting operators. Register at betstop.gov.au. Note: Online casino gambling is illegal in Australia for residents, so BetStop covers sports betting and racing only.
- Germany (OASIS): The national cross-provider exclusion register for German-licensed operators under the Glücksspielneuregulierungsstaatsvertrag (GlüNeuRStV).
- Netherlands (CRUKS): Centraal Register Uitsluiting Kansspelen. All Dutch-licensed operators must check CRUKS before allowing any gambling activity.
- Canada: No national scheme yet. Provincial operators (OLG, PlayNow, etc.) have their own exclusion programs. Contact each operator directly.
What Happens When You Self-Exclude?
- Your account(s) are closed and access blocked.
- Any balance is returned to you (may take a few days).
- You will be removed from marketing lists and should not receive promotional emails.
- If you attempt to gamble during exclusion, the operator must refuse you service.
National schemes enforce this across all participating operators from a single registration. The operator cannot re-open your account during an active exclusion period, regardless of requests.
Getting Additional Support
Self-exclusion is a practical tool, but support services can help address the underlying issues:
- UK: GamCare helpline 0808 8020 133 · National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133
- Sweden: Stödlinjen 020-81 91 00
- Denmark: Center for Ludomani 70 11 18 10
- Australia: Gambling Help Online 1800 858 858
- International: Gamblers Anonymous gamblersanonymous.org
FAQ
- Does GamStop block all gambling sites?
- GamStop blocks all UK Gambling Commission-licensed sites. Offshore casinos not licensed by the UKGC are not covered. Tools like Gamban can block access at the device level for broader coverage.
- Can I undo a self-exclusion early?
- It depends on the scheme. GamStop has a minimum 7-year wait before any 6-month exclusion can be lifted. Spelpaus permanent exclusions require Spelinspektionen approval and a 3-month wait. Short-term exclusions typically cannot be cancelled early.
- Will casinos refund my balance when I self-exclude?
- Yes. Licensed operators are required to return any remaining balance when closing an account under self-exclusion. Processing times vary but are typically 1–5 business days.
- What if a casino lets me play while I'm self-excluded?
- This is a serious regulatory breach. Report it to the relevant gambling regulator (e.g., UKGC, Spelinspektionen). You may also be entitled to a refund of losses incurred during the exclusion period.