SENSE and GAMSTOP are separate self-exclusion schemes. SENSE covers participating licensed land-based casinos in Great Britain; GAMSTOP covers gambling websites and apps operated under Great Britain licences. Joining either scheme does not register you with the other.
If you enrolled in SENSE before 16 December 2024, your current position cannot be determined from your enrolment date alone. Some customers were auto-removed on 1 September 2025, while others remain excluded until removal or a later rolling auto-removal date. Check through your SENSE account where available or contact SENSE directly—never enter a casino or try to gamble to test whether an exclusion still applies. Information checked 19 August 2026.
What SENSE and GAMSTOP actually cover
SENSE is the national self-exclusion scheme for participating licensed land-based casinos in Great Britain. It does not cover online casinos, betting websites or gambling apps. It also should not be assumed to cover every other type of gambling premises: betting shops, bingo venues and adult gaming centres have separate arrangements.
GAMSTOP Online covers online gambling accounts with companies licensed in Great Britain. Operators use the details on the GAMSTOP register to block registered customers from opening or using accounts. A SENSE registration does not trigger GAMSTOP, and a GAMSTOP registration does not enrol you in SENSE. Great Britain is the relevant official scope here; do not assume identical arrangements apply in Northern Ireland.
Who was auto-removed on 1 September 2025
The transitional rules concern people who enrolled in SENSE before 16 December 2024. Among that group, customers whose minimum requested exclusion period had ended more than three years before 1 September 2025 were auto-removed on 1 September 2025. Auto-removal means their SENSE exclusion was no longer active from that date.
Those customers’ profiles remained visible to casino managers for a 12-month transition ending on 1 September 2026. This allowed a manager to explain the change if a customer visited, but it did not mean the exclusion was still active. Someone who did not visit might receive no notification. Even after removal, an individual casino operator may refuse entry under its own controls and safer-gambling procedures.
Why your enrolment date does not reveal your current status
Other customers who enrolled before 16 December 2024 remain excluded unless they complete an eligible removal process or reach the applicable rolling auto-removal point. Under the transitional terms, this occurs on the third anniversary of the end of the customer’s minimum requested exclusion period. A longer exclusion agreed under the earlier terms must first run for its full requested period.
That calculation depends on more than the original enrolment date. The requested period, its end date and any relevant extension, renewal or subsequent action may affect the record. Two people who enrolled on the same day could therefore have different statuses. Treat old confirmation messages as useful evidence, but confirm the live position with SENSE.
How to check safely before 1 September 2026
If you have a SENSE account and it remains accessible, review the dates and status shown there. Check any enrolment, extension or renewal confirmation you retained as well. If anything is missing or unclear, contact SENSE directly through its official website or at info@sensescheme.com and ask it to confirm your current status and the relevant dates.
Do not enter a casino, attempt to gamble or ask another person to test access for you. The date of 1 September 2026 is a sensible prompt to check because that is when transitional profile visibility and manager notification end. It is not an official universal renewal deadline, and not every pre-16 December 2024 exclusion ends on that date. Recheck the official SENSE terms immediately after the transition ends.
How to keep protection in place across land-based and online gambling
If SENSE confirms that you have been auto-removed and you still want protection from land-based casinos, submit a new SENSE enrolment through the official scheme. If your exclusion is still active, ask SENSE which renewal or extension option is available for your record. Do not wait for a casino visit to make that decision.
For online protection, register separately with GAMSTOP Online. Keep your name, address, email addresses and other matching details current so participating operators can identify your registration effectively. You can strengthen these measures with blocking software, a gambling block offered by your bank, removal of gambling apps and marketing permissions, and specialist support through the National Gambling Helpline. See the [responsible gambling tools guide](/safety/responsible-gambling-tools-online-casinos) for a broader protection checklist. 18+ only. This is general information, not legal advice.
Useful iGaming Centre links
Official context
FAQ
Does SENSE self-exclusion also register me with GAMSTOP?
No. SENSE covers participating licensed land-based casinos in Great Britain, while GAMSTOP covers gambling websites and apps operated under Great Britain licences. Register with each scheme separately if you want both forms of protection.
Does every older SENSE exclusion end on 1 September 2026?
No. That date ends the transitional profile-visibility and manager-notification process. Your live status depends on your requested exclusion period and record, so confirm it directly with SENSE.
How should I check whether my SENSE exclusion is still active?
Review your SENSE account and retained confirmations, then contact SENSE if anything is unclear. Never visit a casino or attempt to gamble to test your status.
