Self-exclusion is a formal agreement between you and gambling operators: you ask to be barred, and they must refuse to serve you for a set period. For high-street betting shops in Great Britain the scheme is called GamStop Betting Shops, previously known as MOSES (the Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme). It is free, it covers shops from every licensed bookmaker, and it is arranged by telephone. This guide explains what happens at each stage.
If you are in immediate difficulty, the National Gambling Helpline is open 24 hours on 0808 8020 133 (free) and can help you through this process.
What the scheme covers
- Licensed betting shops in Great Britain, whichever company runs them: William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral, Betfred, Paddy Power, BoyleSports and independents alike. You do not need a separate exclusion for each bookmaker.
- The shops you name, plus any others in the area you choose. The scheme is built around the places you actually go or could easily go to, because that is where an exclusion has to work.
- Counter betting and gaming machines in those shops. Once excluded, you should not be allowed on the premises at all.
It does not cover online betting sites and apps, casinos, bingo halls, adult gaming centres or racecourses. Each of those has its own scheme, listed at the end of this page.
Step 1: Call GamStop Betting Shops
Telephone 0800 294 2060. The line is free from UK landlines and mobiles and, according to the scheme’s leaflet, is staffed from 08:00 to 22:00 every day. You do not have to give a reason, and the person you speak to deals with these calls every day.
Before you call, it helps to know:
- your full name, date of birth and address;
- the shops you use, or the towns and areas where you would want to be excluded. Use our shop finder to list the shops near your home, work and usual routes if you are not sure of their names or addresses;
- that the exclusion runs for a fixed 12 months, with the option to extend.
Step 2: Choose the area and the shops
The adviser asks about the areas you visit or are likely to visit, taking into account where you live, work and socialise, and uses a mapping tool to find the betting shops in those areas and add them to your exclusion. You can also name specific branches. Most people include every shop in the towns they regularly visit; leaving out the one you “never use” tends to be a mistake, because that is where an urge to bet will take you.
You can add shops later by calling again, for example if you move house or change jobs.
Step 3: Provide a photograph and ID
Shops enforce the exclusion by recognising you, so the scheme needs a recent, clear photograph of your face, plus a copy of photographic ID such as a passport or driving licence. These can be sent by email or post. The scheme states that the exclusion does not start until the photograph is received and the ID check is complete, and that it can take up to 10 working days from then to take effect.
Step 4: The exclusion is circulated
GamStop Betting Shops sends your details and photograph to each of the shops you named. Shop staff are required to refuse to accept bets from you, to refuse access to gaming machines, and to ask you to leave if you enter. This is a condition of the operator’s licence, not a favour, and the Gambling Commission’s rules require operators to take all reasonable steps to prevent excluded customers from gambling.
Allow up to 10 working days for the exclusion to reach every shop.
Step 5: The exclusion period
The exclusion is for a fixed 12 months and cannot be ended early. At the end of it the exclusion does not simply lapse: the scheme’s terms say it stays in place for a further six months unless you call to extend it by another 12 months or ask to return to gambling. If you ask to return there is a 24-hour cooling-off period before the request is processed, and up to 10 working days before every shop is told. Many people choose to renew rather than lift it.
Under the scheme you agree not to attempt to enter any excluded shop. If you do and are recognised, staff must ask you to leave. If a shop fails to enforce your exclusion, report it to the scheme on the same number and, if necessary, to the Gambling Commission.
Other steps that work alongside it
Self-exclusion from shops is most effective when combined with barriers to other routes:
- GamStop (gamstop.co.uk) blocks every online betting and gaming site licensed in Great Britain. Registration is free and takes a few minutes; choose six months, one year or five years.
- Gambling blocks from your bank. Most UK banks and building societies can block gambling transactions on your debit card through the banking app, usually with a cooling-off period before it can be turned off.
- Blocking software such as Gamban prevents gambling sites and apps from loading on your phone and computer. It is free to UK residents through the TalkBanStop partnership.
- Individual operator exclusions. Casinos, bingo halls and arcades run their own multi-operator schemes; the National Gambling Helpline can direct you to each.
If you are worried about someone else
You cannot exclude another adult without their agreement, but you can encourage them to call, and you can get support for yourself from GamFam (gamfam.org.uk) or the National Gambling Helpline, which supports family members as well as gamblers. Our responsible gambling lists further sources of help.
How BookieFinder handles this
BookieFinder lists betting shops so that people can find them. We recognise that a shop directory can also be used by someone trying to avoid shops, or to name them for an exclusion. We do not run any promotion for betting on shop pages, we do not accept payment to place shops higher in results, and we show safer-gambling contacts on every shop page. If you think a page on this site makes it harder for someone to stay away from gambling, tell us.
Details on this page were checked against the GamStop Betting Shops scheme pages (self-exclusion.co.uk), the Gambling Commission’s page on multi-operator self-exclusion schemes, gamstop.co.uk and gamcare.org.uk on 21 September 2026. If you find that a number or process has changed, please let us know.