Self-exclusion, time-outs and account limits
Stopping or slowing down is easier when the decision is made once and then held in place by a tool, instead of being made again at every session. Operators offer several such tools inside the player account, and they range from a gentle reminder to a block that lasts for years. This page explains how they differ, how to set them up and what to do beyond the account. The tools themselves belong to the operator: this site cannot switch them on for you, and what is available depends on the account.
Three levels of control
| Tool | What it does | Can it be reversed early? |
|---|---|---|
| Limits (deposit, loss, wager, session time) | Play continues, but within a ceiling you choose | Lowering is usually immediate; raising usually waits for a set period |
| Time-out | Pauses deposits and play for a short, fixed period chosen from the options offered | Normally not until the period ends |
| Self-exclusion | Closes access for a long period; marketing should stop | Normally not; reopening usually needs a deliberate request afterwards |
The periods on offer and the exact rules are set by the operator and written in its responsible gambling section and terms.
When each one fits
Limits suit someone who wants to keep playing but wants the session to have edges. A session reminder or time limit is especially useful with fast games: crash rounds and quick slots can fit many decisions into a few minutes, and an hour passes unnoticed. A time-out suits the moment when play has stopped being fun but a long block feels like too much. Self-exclusion is the right step when limits keep being raised, when you play to win back losses, or when you simply know a pause has to be firm. If you are unsure, choose the stronger option; it is easier to wait out a block than to undo the damage of a bad week.
How to set up self-exclusion on the operator's site
- Log in and open the account settings. Look for a section called responsible gambling, safer gambling or account limits.
- If you have a real-money balance, read what the terms say happens to it, and request a withdrawal first if that is what you want.
- Choose self-exclusion, pick the period and read the confirmation text carefully before you accept.
- Save the confirmation message or email, and take a screenshot of the account status.
- Unsubscribe from marketing emails and messages, and delete any saved login details and apps from your devices.
- Add a block outside the account: a gambling block in your banking app, a content filter on your phone, or blocking software for your home network.
- Tell one person you trust what you have done, so the decision is not yours alone to keep.
If the account settings do not show a self-exclusion option, write to the operator's support and ask for it in writing; keep their reply. The complaints guide explains how to escalate if the request is not handled.
National self-exclusion registers
Many countries run a national self-exclusion register. Signing up to one usually blocks access to every operator licensed in that country at once, rather than one account at a time. The details — who runs the register, how long the block lasts and how to apply — differ from country to country, so look for the register on the website of the authority that regulates gambling where you live. A register covers only operators licensed under it, which is another reason to add blocks at the bank and device level as well.
Similar names, separate accounts
Brands with similar names can belong to different businesses and run separate account systems. A self-exclusion on one of them does not automatically reach the others. If you are excluding yourself because play got out of hand, apply the same block to every account you hold, and avoid opening new ones during the period.
Free support
Gambling Therapy offers free online support for anyone affected by gambling, including family members, through live chat, forums and groups in many languages. It is independent of any operator. The responsible gambling page lists further help, including the Gamblers Anonymous meeting finder, and explains why chasing losses only makes swings bigger.