GAMSTOP GameSense Compared: How Self-Exclusion Tools Work

If you feel that gambling has started to cause you problems, the best decision you can make is to self-exclude. However, you should know that things aren’t the same everywhere. It depends on the country where you live and what system it offers. Don’t worry, we’ve put together a detailed guide with all the information you need to know.

The Short Answer

The only difference is the scope of coverage. There is no system that operates globally, there are only provincial-level systems.

GAMSTOP is the most popular and covers casinos operated by licensed providers in the United Kingdom. For British Columbia, there’s GameBreak, and for Australia, there’s BetStop.

You need to check which system is in place in your country, and once you’ve signed up, you’re self-excluded from all online casinos.

The Legal and Regulatory Context

The truth is that these tools exist because regulatory authorities have mandated their use. Operators did not choose to implement them voluntarily. In the United Kingdom, GAMSTOP is mandatory for all operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.

If you live in Australia, BetStop is available to you. The operator you register with is required to check the registry before allowing you to open an account, and also while the account is active. They do this for every player who registers.

In Canada, things work a little differently because gambling is not regulated at the federal level. Each province manages its own system. In 2009, GameSense was launched by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, and it is now also licensed in Alberta.

In the U.S., Massachusetts used GameSense as its responsible gaming program for many years, until this year when it was replaced by its own program, PlayWell. In contrast, Ontario has never adopted GameSense and uses its own tools.

When This Applies to You

A national self exclusion gambling tool is only useful if the casino you’re playing at is licensed in that jurisdiction. If you’re playing at, say, a casino licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, GAMSTOP applies to you no matter where you are. However, if you’re playing at a casino in British Columbia, you’ll need to install GameBreak.

If you’re still in the process of deciding where to play, it’s a good idea to choose a casino licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.

As I’ve mentioned before, self-exclusion is, by definition, a measure you take yourself. No one can do this for you, not your spouse, parents, or friends. You’re the one who has to submit the request.

Germany: OASIS

If you want to self-exclude, you can request to be added to the registry either through the Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt or directly with the operator you’re playing with, who will submit a request on your behalf. All operators are required to verify every new account in real time, and if you’ve self-excluded with even one operator, all of them are required to block your access to their services.

The minimum period starts at 3 months, but you can also request permanent self exclusion gambling. However, none of these types of exclusion expire automatically. Once the mandatory minimum period has passed, the restriction remains in effect until you submit a written request to have it lifted.

How the Major National Tools Compare

Alexandra Camelia Dedu, the editor of this article, compared the four national and provincial tools. She reviewed them manually and reached the following conclusions:

We also need to talk about the duration of self-exclusion. This varies from one program to another. If you choose GAMSTOP, you won’t be able to lift the exclusion before the period expires. On the other hand, Spelpaus offers only a 10-day period, which is too short in our view. BetStop offers the option of lifetime self-exclusion, which most other systems do not provide.

In Canada, there is no single federal registry. Similarly, the U.S. does not have a single national system. The National Council on Problem Gambling can help you find the right program but it does not actualy administer a system itself.

How to Sign Up for Self-Exclusion

The registration process varies depending on the instrument you choose. However, broadly speaking, the steps you need to follow are pretty much the same.

The first thing you need to do is choose the duration of your self exclusion gambling. As I mentioned, it generally starts at 3 months. Once you’ve chosen the period, you’ll need to verify your identity to confirm that you’re the one requesting self-exclusion. GAMSTOP performs a credit check, while BetStop asks for a cell phone number. Finally, you must confirm your registration. GAMSTOP explicitly states that you cannot cancel your self-exclusion before the term ends. But don’t worry, the other tools work the same way.

Most of the time, you won’t be blocked immediately, it can take up to 24 hours for the exclusion to take effect.

When it comes to renewal, things are a little different. OASIS in Germany and Spelpaus in Sweden remain active until you request to lift the exclusion. However, with other systems, things may differ, so it’s best to check for yourself.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• Keep in mind that self-exclusion is not retroactive. It completely blocks your access, and if you still had money in your account or an active bonus, it depends on the decision the operator makes. They may refund your money and cancel the bonus.
• Unfortunately, GAMSTOP does not cover all operators. It is available for operators licensed in the United Kingdom, but not for offshore sites.
• GameSense is not a self-exclusion program; it is a platform for responsible gaming. There, you can find information about responsible gaming or receive counseling.
• Unlicensed operators are not part of these systems. If you want broader protection, you can install apps such as BetBlocker or Gamban.

Coming Soon: Ireland’s National Gambling Exclusion Register

We have learned that a national self-exclusion registry is also set to be launched in Ireland. This means that you will submit a single self-exclusion request, and it will be valid for all licensed operators.

As of the time of writing this article, that part of the law has been amended, but unfortunately it has not yet gone into effect. For now, only the GRAI’s licensing powers have taken effect. We still have a little while to wait for the registry.

However, until then, if you want to self-exclude, you must do so separately with each licensed operator.

Where to Get Help

None of the programs I mentioned above can replace specialized support. Keep in mind that resources vary from country to country, so it’s important to choose the services available in your country.

If you live in the United Kingdom, GambleAware is available to you. It’s a 24/7 helpline. You can call right now if you feel the need to talk to someone.

In the U.S., you can turn to the National Council on Problem Gambling.

However, no matter where you are, BetBlocker and Gamban help you block all gambling websites and apps on your device. So rest assured, solutions are available!

Don’t forget that there isn’t a single regulator that applies worldwide. Regulations vary from country to country, and if you didn’t find the one applicable to your country in this article, go directly to the responsible gambling page for the country where you live.

The Bottom Line

Unfortunately, there is no single global self-exclusion system. However, GameSense is certainly the best-known name in the field. That is also why many players believe it works everywhere.

GAMTOP, GameBreak, BetStop, and Spelpaus operate within their own jurisdictions. The good news is that they’re completely free, and you can use them at any time, even right now.

Our advice is not to rely solely on self-exclusion and to also seek professional help.

How We Verified This

We verified every organization and tool mentioned in this article directly from official sources. We started with the official GAMSTOP website and the history of its licensing terms. We then continud with the official GameSense and BetStop websites.

We never rely on assumptions, we prefer to verify every piece of information ourselves. That’s exactly what we did with the support organizations as well.

If gambling has stopped being a choice for you and has become a problem, check once again the organizations we mentioned above. Don’t forget that there are also blocking programs you can use at any time, even right now.

We, the experts at KingCasinoBonus, have written this article for informational purposes only, so please treat it as such. It is neither legal nor financial advice. Don’t forget to always check the most current information directly with your country’s regulatory authority.