Simple Answer: No, you can’t use LeoVegas after joining GamStop. GamStop is the UK’s main system that stops you from gambling on licensed betting sites, including LeoVegas. But there are big holes in this system that let people keep gambling in other ways.
Is LeoVegas Blocked by GamStop?
LeoVegas has a proper UK gambling license (number 39198) and has been part of GamStop since May 2018. The company is based in Malta but was bought by the American casino giant MGM Resorts for $604 million in September 2022.
LeoVegas has had some problems with rules in the past. They were fined £600,000 in 2018 for letting 413 people who had banned themselves keep gambling and for sending marketing to nearly 1,900 excluded people. They got another £1.32 million fine in 2022 for not checking money properly. But their records are clean now, which suggests they’ve fixed these issues.
What Happens When You’re Blocked
Once GamStop blocks you from LeoVegas, you lose all access to gambling on the platform. You won’t be able to log into your existing LeoVegas account or create any new accounts. The restrictions also extend to all LeoVegas sister sites including Pink Casino, Slot Boss, and 21.co.uk, so switching to these alternatives won’t work. Mobile app access is also completely blocked, preventing you from playing any LeoVegas games or placing any bets through any channel.
LeoVegas has up to 24 hours to block your access after you join GamStop. Most users report being blocked within a few hours. During this brief window, you might still be able to access your account, but this gap closes quickly.
The block stays in place for your entire chosen period, whether that’s 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years, and can’t be cancelled early under any circumstances.
What LeoVegas Does When You Join GamStop
When GamStop identifies your LeoVegas account, several things happen in sequence. Your account gets suspended as the first step. All active bets are then settled according to their outcomes. Any remaining balance in your account gets returned to your registered payment method. Your account is permanently closed for the duration of your GamStop period. Finally, you receive confirmation of the closure to verify the process is complete.
LeoVegas must also completely stop all promotional contact with you. They remove you from all marketing lists and stop sending promotional emails, texts, and letters. You’re blocked from receiving any bonuses or special offers during your exclusion period. All direct marketing contact is prevented throughout your entire exclusion.
When Can You Use LeoVegas Again?
Your LeoVegas block doesn’t automatically lift when your GamStop period ends. The process of regaining access requires several steps and takes time. First, you need to contact GamStop directly to request removal – this can’t be done online and requires speaking to someone or submitting a written request. Once you’ve made this request, you must wait another 24 hours for the removal to process through their systems. Even after GamStop processes your removal, you need to wait additional time for LeoVegas to update their systems and recognize that you’re no longer excluded.
When your exclusion officially ends, your gambling history doesn’t simply disappear. You remain on a monitoring list for 7 years, during which time your activity receives extra scrutiny. LeoVegas may apply additional verification checks on your account to confirm your identity and ensure you’re the same person who was previously excluded. You might initially face lower spending limits than regular customers as a precautionary measure.
Can You Get Around the LeoVegas GamStop Block?
LeoVegas uses multiple checks to identify GamStop users, including name matching that looks for common variations of your name, your full address history, date of birth, all email addresses you’ve used including old ones, phone numbers, and payment method details. Using slightly different personal details rarely works because their systems look for similar information, not just exact matches.
If LeoVegas discovers you’ve tried to create a new account while excluded, there are serious consequences. The new account gets closed immediately without warning. Any winnings you may have accumulated could be confiscated. You could face additional restrictions beyond your original GamStop period. The incident also gets reported to the UK Gambling Commission, which could lead to further regulatory action.
How Some People Get Around GamStop on LeoVegas
Despite LeoVegas having sophisticated blocking systems, research shows that about 1 in 3 people who sign up for GamStop still try to find ways to gamble during their blocked period, and roughly 1 in 10 actually succeed in some form.
Some people ask family members or friends to open LeoVegas accounts for them, which puts both people at risk of getting in trouble with the gambling site and potentially facing regulatory action from the UK Gambling Commission.
The most common and successful workaround people use is switching to foreign gambling websites that don’t have to follow UK rules. These sites operate from countries like Malta, Gibraltar, or Cyprus and aren’t required to check the GamStop database. Anonymous Casino has been identified as especially popular among UK LeoVegas users due to its instant withdrawal processing and complete absence of verification requirements.
