I’m sorry, but I can’t help with instructions or promotions that enable gambling outside self-exclusion. If you’re searching for ways around GamStop, that’s a strong sign you might be struggling, and support is available right now.
Why the urge to avoid GamStop happens—and what it means
When someone enrolls in self-exclusion through GamStop, they’re making a clear, courageous commitment to protect their wellbeing. Still, it’s common for intense urges to show up later—especially during stress, boredom, payday, loneliness, or after alcohol. The brain’s reward system remembers the short-term “rush,” and it can push hard for a quick fix. That’s why the idea of seeking out options that are “not on GamStop” can feel so compelling in the moment.
Those urges are temporary. Most cravings rise, peak, and fall within minutes—even when they feel overwhelming. Recognizing this cycle is powerful. Rather than seeing an urge as a command, see it as a wave that can be surfed: observe it, name it, breathe through it, and let it pass. Choosing not to act on an urge keeps your long-term goals intact—protecting finances, relationships, mental health, and self-respect.
GamStop exists to create a safe barrier while you rebuild control. Trying to step around that barrier often leads to a quick relapse, larger losses, and deeper regret. If you’ve already taken the step to exclude, you’ve proven you can take decisive action for yourself. The next step is reinforcing that decision when pressure rises.
It can help to reframe the urge as a helpful signal: it’s telling you something needs attention—stress relief, connection, rest, or problem-solving—not gambling. Consider what the urge is promising and what it will actually deliver. The short-term hit is brief; the consequences can last. Keeping reminders visible—like a note on your phone with your reasons for self-excluding, or a photo of someone you care about—can anchor you when the impulse flares.
If you’re feeling ashamed or frustrated about wanting to gamble again, that’s understandable—but you’re not alone, and you’re not failing. Relapse risk is a normal part of recovery, and there are proven tools that reduce harm and strengthen your commitment to change.
Practical steps you can take right now to stay safe
Delay the decision. Tell yourself you won’t act for 20 minutes. Use a timer and do something incompatible with gambling—take a brisk walk, shower, call a friend, or play a quick game that’s non-gambling. Urges typically lose intensity when you create space.
Practice urge surfing. Sit comfortably, breathe slowly, and notice where the craving shows up in your body—tight chest, buzzing hands, restless legs. Describe the sensation without judging it. Breathe in for four counts, out for six. Remind yourself: “This will pass.”
Increase digital barriers. Install reputable blocking tools on devices to reinforce your self-exclusion. Apps like Gamban, BetBlocker, and similar services can make access significantly harder in moments of weakness. Update router-level blocks if possible, and remove any VPNs that might bypass filters.
Enable financial safeguards. If your bank offers a gambling block, switch it on now. Many UK banks allow you to prevent transactions to gambling merchants and require a cooling-off period to turn blocks off. Consider limiting access to funds for a short time—lower daily limits, move money to a separate account you can’t touch easily, or ask a trusted person to hold onto cards temporarily.
Change the environment. Replace triggers with neutral spaces. If you usually gamble alone at night, keep lights on, move to a common area, or head somewhere public. Remove shortcuts: delete betting apps, clear bookmarks, and log out from email addresses associated with gambling accounts. Small friction points matter.
Reach out. Contact someone you trust and say what’s happening. A simple message—“I’m having a strong urge to gamble. Can we talk for 10 minutes?”—can break the cycle. If you prefer anonymity, the National Gambling Helpline in the UK is available 24/7 at 0808 8020 133, and Samaritans are available 24/7 at 116 123 if you’re feeling overwhelmed, distressed, or unsafe.
Ground yourself. Use a quick sensory reset: name five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, one you can taste. Pair it with slow breathing. This lowers arousal and helps you choose your next step more calmly.
Plan the next hour. Eat something, hydrate, and schedule a short, absorbing task—tidy a drawer, do 15 push-ups, prep tomorrow’s lunch, or watch a short comedy clip. The goal is to cross the urge’s peak without gambling.
If you’re worried about immediate harm—financially or emotionally—consider a stronger safety plan: hand over access to funds, switch your phone to airplane mode for an hour, or spend time with someone in person. If you’re at risk of harming yourself, call emergency services or go to the nearest A&E. Your safety matters.
Support that works: people, programs, and tools that help you keep your promise
Confidential, judgment-free support is available, and connecting early is one of the strongest predictors of recovery. GamCare provides free, specialist help for anyone affected by gambling, including live chat and structured support. The National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) is open 24/7 and can guide you to practical next steps within minutes. If you’re in emotional crisis or feel hopeless, contact Samaritans at 116 123—any time, free of charge.
Consider combining blocks and counseling. Evidence-based approaches like CBT help you map triggers, challenge gambling thoughts, and build new routines. Programs such as TalkBanStop can connect you with trained advisors and tools that reinforce self-exclusion. Many people find strength in peer groups—Gamblers Anonymous meetings (in-person or online) provide community, accountability, and strategies from people who’ve been there.
Reinforce your barriers. Renew or extend your GamStop exclusion if needed, and add device-level blocks across phones, tablets, and computers. Ask your bank about permanent or “cooling-off” gambling blocks. If someone you trust can be a “digital accountability partner,” invite them to help with passwords or check-ins during high-risk times like paydays or evenings.
Build daily guardrails. Schedule your day with activities that fill the time gambling used to occupy: exercise, cooking, volunteering, creative projects, or learning. Keep quick coping tools visible—a short grounding script, a hotline number, and a list of safe substitutions. Track progress in a simple note: write one sentence each day about how you kept your promise to yourself.
Two brief, real-world examples can be encouraging. A person who enrolled in GamStop noticed urges spiking on payday evenings. They set a bank gambling block, added a two-hour weekly support call, and planned a standing Friday activity with a friend. After a month, urges still surfaced—but were easier to manage, and no gambling occurred. Another individual combined GamStop with device blocks and text-based counseling. They practiced urge surfing for 10 minutes whenever cravings rose, coupled with a short walk. Within weeks, urges felt less intense and less frequent, and they regained control over their routine and finances.
If you’re outside the UK, similar services exist. Share your country or region, and tailored support options can be suggested for your area. What matters most is taking one small, self-protective action today—because that first step often makes the next one possible. You’ve already shown courage by seeking help; you deserve tools and people who will stand with you while you recover.
If you’re in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, call your local emergency number now. You are not alone, and help is available right away.
