GAMSTOP uses the personal information supplied during registration to help participating gambling operators identify accounts that belong to a self-excluded person. The scheme does not publish a public list, and its current terms do not describe a simple one-field match. The practical point is that the details in your GAMSTOP record should be accurate, complete and consistent with the information used on gambling accounts.
This guide explains what GAMSTOP currently asks for, why old contact details matter, how information is used with participating operators and what to do when something changes. It is an informational guide to the scheme, not advice on bypassing self-exclusion.
What information does GAMSTOP ask for?
GAMSTOP’s terms of use, last updated on 20 May 2026, list the registration information needed for a self-exclusion. It includes:
- your full name and title;
- your date of birth;
- mobile numbers you use or previously used with gambling operators;
- your primary email address and other email addresses used with gambling operators; and
- your current home address and other addresses used with gambling operators.
GAMSTOP also requires the primary email address to be verified. Its terms say identity verification currently uses TransUnion or Onfido, with a document route through the GAMSTOP Contact Centre when those processes cannot verify a person.
How matching works in practice
The scheme’s terms say GAMSTOP uses reasonable efforts to prevent access to accounts that match the registration information. Participating operators and GAMSTOP exchange personal data to run regular checks against operator customer databases and to check people trying to access remote gambling services.
That wording matters. It means you should not assume that one unchanged email address is the only detail involved, or that GAMSTOP can correct an inaccurate account automatically. GAMSTOP specifically says inaccuracies, incomplete information or out-of-date details can make the exclusion less effective.
Why previous details can matter
People often change an email address, mobile number or home address while their gambling accounts still contain older information. GAMSTOP therefore asks for current and previous contact details used with participating gambling operators.
Before updating your record, make a private list of the details you have actually used. Do not publish account credentials or identity documents. A useful checklist is:
- Write down your current legal name and any previous name used on an account.
- List current and former mobile numbers used for registration or account recovery.
- List current and former email addresses used with remote gambling accounts.
- Record your current address and previous account addresses, including postcodes.
- Check that dates and spelling are consistent before submitting an update.
How to update your GAMSTOP details
GAMSTOP’s terms say registration information can be changed through a GAMSTOP account or by calling its Contact Centre. A name change must be handled through the Contact Centre. Use the official GAMSTOP website rather than a third-party form, and keep the account login and correspondence confidential.
An update does not create a new permission to gamble and does not shorten a minimum exclusion period. It is account maintenance intended to keep the existing self-exclusion effective.
What happens to existing gambling accounts?
Once an exclusion is active, participating operators are expected to use their systems to apply it to matching accounts. GAMSTOP says activation is generally completed within 24 hours but does not guarantee that timeframe, because implementation also depends on operator systems.
If an account still holds withdrawable funds, GAMSTOP’s terms place responsibility for returning those funds on the gambling operator. The process can vary by operator. Keep copies of the account balance, transaction history and correspondence, then contact the operator about the withdrawal rather than sending banking or identity details to an unaffiliated website.
What the match does not prove
A GAMSTOP result is not a general licence check and does not tell you that every gambling website participates. GAMSTOP covers online and other remote gambling businesses licensed to serve people in Great Britain. Its terms state that it cannot block access to organisations that do not participate in the scheme.
You can check whether a business claims a Great Britain licence by searching the Gambling Commission’s public register using the company, trading name or exact domain. The register currently distinguishes active, expired, surrendered, suspended and other licence states. A similar brand name is not enough; compare the exact legal business and domain.
What to do if a participating operator does not identify the exclusion
First, stop using the account. Save a dated record of what happened, including the site address, account identifier, relevant messages and the details you used. Then:
- Check that your GAMSTOP registration information is current.
- Contact GAMSTOP through its official Contact Centre if a record needs correction.
- Contact the gambling operator and explain that the account should be covered by your exclusion.
- Keep the operator’s response and complaint reference.
- Use the operator’s formal complaint route if the problem is not resolved.
For wider help with reducing gambling access and managing triggers, see our practical steps and support guide.
Key point
GAMSTOP matching depends on the personal information held by the scheme and participating operators. Accurate current and previous details give the scheme the information it says it needs to run those checks. Update changed details through GAMSTOP itself, keep private account information private and contact the operator separately about account funds or complaints.
Sources reviewed 24 September 2026: GAMSTOP Terms of Use, GAMSTOP Privacy Policy, GAMSTOP official website and the Gambling Commission public register.