Self-Excluding From a Betting Shop: The Step-by-Step Britain Actually Uses
Britain’s self-exclusion scheme, for those wanting to manage betting shop tendencies, is handled via a multi-operator approach run by a provider recognized by the Gambling Commission. Importantly, the…
What the Scheme Is
The scheme used is technically one run by an organisation called Multi Operator Self Exclusion Scheme Ltd, which works with the Gambling Commission. It says all non-remote operators who are licence holders in the betting (as well as amusement arcade, bingo and casino) sectors must participate. This means operators are legally required to offer self-exclusion to anyone who requests this.
The online self-exclusion scheme is separate and known as GAMSTOP. However, anyone looking to do this clean break has to use the right scheme for their preferred method of gambling. If you're heading in person to a betting shop, you need the telephone-based multi-operator scheme.
How a Customer Starts the Process
Customers begin by calling the official number: 0800 294 2060. There is also a web address, but it's.
The scheme’s website includes a page that’s titled “How The Self Exclusion Scheme Works” and it says the first thing to do is to take down that phone number and ring it.
What Paperwork and Identification Are For
Although the GamCare site, which handles a lot of self-exclusion requests, says excluding yourself is a simple process, it's not straightforward. One thing that does crop up a lot is the need to provide identification. GamCare says you should visit the venue and speak to the manager or staff to ask to self-exclude. Part of that is taking along a couple of passport-size photos. These go on the form -- and they help staff to identify the person who is self-excluding.
GamCare also says you should get a copy of the self-exclusion form for your records.
Where the Exclusion Applies
The Gambling Commission’s guidance says in part that when customers use a multi-operator scheme, they can “make a single request to exclude themselves from the same type of land-based gambling within their area”. The key phrase there is “within your area” -- and also that this is for land-based gambling. The scheme applies within an unspecified area around participating shops. This means if you are self-excluding across shops then your exclusion applies across all operators' shops in areas.
What Operators Must Do
The Gambling Commission's guidance says the betting business must close the customer’s account and return any money in the account when a self-exclusion is registered. This is part of the process the business must perform, and it must also remove the customer’s name and contact details from any marketing databases it uses.
All this relies on the betting shop operators actually providing the option for self-exclusion.