Self-Exclusion From Betting Shops

This is also available for a person who wants to exclude themselves from casinos, but as separate but equal multi-operator exclusions.

Betting shops and casinos use separate land-based schemes

Self-exclusion is an agreement to limit physical access to a place where gambling happens. It is offered separately from online self-exclusion schemes that block access to gambling sites, apps, and physical venues.

The Commission recognises two distinct multi-operator schemes for land-based venues, one for betting shops and another for licensed land-based casinos in the UK, with each limiting and covering venues in the same type of gambling within the same geographical area.

What the schemes do

Land-based self-exclusion is a formal agreement where the volunteer agrees not to enter the venue and the Commission expects operators to use this to try to prevent breaches.

When an exclusion is put in place, the venue must close the excluded person’s account if one exists, [return] any money in it and ask the person to leave.

They must return any monies in the account and remove the customer’s name and details from any marketing databases the venue uses. All established, licensed gambling businesses in the UK must offer self-exclusion.

It applies to:

• all betting premises, such as betting shops
• casinos
• bingo
• adult gaming centres

Remember that self-exclusion is voluntary. No one can enter you into an exclusion scheme without your knowledge or against your will.

You can decide what purposes are met. Guidance notes cover the rules for self-exclusion, including age restrictions and venue safety.

How betting-shop self-exclusion works in practice

Signing up for a betting shop scheme is not the same as GAMSTOP. It works through a land-based booking scheme, which covers betting.

For the UK, the official Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme (MOSES) for betting shops exists.

The Commission says anyone could use the GAMSTOP helpline to exclude themselves. A local-authorityS(bcwzn4552apqjh45eit3fi55))/documents/s38482/Copy%20of%20Gambling%20report%20Self%20Exclusion%2006.10.17.pdf) puts MOSES’ approach down to a phone-based registration, and submission of photos, enabling staff to recognise anyone trying to breach their own exclusion.

How casino self-exclusion works in practice

For casinos, the Gambling Commission notes a scheme, with the official name of Self-Enrolment National Self-Exclusion, commonly known as SENSE.

This scheme is run by Self-Enrolment National Self Exclusion Ltd and covers all licensed land-based casinos in Great Britain.

As the Commission says, all gambling businesses must offer self-exclusion, but the main difference, alongside GAMSTOP, is that online is one scheme which covers websites, remote logs and apps while land coverage covers venues.

How this differs from GAMSTOP

While UK self-exclusion in betting shops and casinos is for people who want to restrict their access to venues, GAMSTOP covers gambling which happens online.

So it deals with websites and apps, including apps which can make bets in a shop or casino, and include a venue log for the gambling required.

All gambling businesses must participate in GAMSTOP and keep consumer lists updated every 24 hours - but it is still a separate process from the scheme a person can use to exclude themselves from a venue alone.