What is GamProtect?

GamProtect is an initiative to ensure that people who indicate that they are at high risk of gambling related harm to their health are protected.

How does GamProtect work?

Participating Operators that provide online gambling products will take steps to identify customers who they believe should not be gambling and share some key customer information with the GamProtect system. Participating Operators will then use GamProtect to identify whether the same customer has an account with them and proceed to close their account to reduce the potential for harm.

What information is shared?

Only the minimum information necessary to identify a customer is shared. This may include:

• First name
• Last name
• Date of birth
• Postcode
• Email address
• Telephone number
• A unique customer identifier (Set by Participating Operators)

The information is used solely for customer protection and safer gambling purposes. It is not used for marketing or promotional activities.

Why might my account be affected?

Your account may be restricted or closed if a participating operator has identified serious indicators that gambling is causing significant harm. This may include situations where a customer has informed an operator that they:

• Have a gambling problem or addiction.
• Are seeking external support or treatment for gambling problems.
• Will harm themselves or someone else.
• Should not be gambling because they have a medical condition.
• Want to stop gambling forever due to problems with their gambling.

Is GamProtect the same as GamStop?

These are separate initiatives for different purposes.

GamStop is a free self-exclusion service that allows customers to voluntarily exclude themselves from all online gambling operators licensed in Great Britain.

GamProtect is an operator-led safeguarding scheme. It is used when a participating operator identifies evidence of serious gambling-related harm and believes intervention is necessary to help protect the customer.

Can I challenge the action that's been taken?

If you believe your account has been affected by GamProtect in error, you should contact the operator that originally applied the GamProtect restriction. They are responsible for reviewing the decision and determining whether any changes can be made.

Please note that removal from the GamProtect register does not automatically reinstate gambling accounts. Each participating operator will carry out its own review before deciding whether an account can be reopened.

Where can I find more information?

For more information on GamProtect, please visit their website available here.

For more information on our privacy policy and how your data is being processed, please see the Privacy Policy link at the bottom of our homepage.