Self-exclusion, limits and your balance
Self-exclusion is the strongest tool a player can use: the account is closed to play for a chosen period and the operator stops sending offers. It is a sensible step, not a dramatic one, and it works best when you know in advance what it does to the money still in your account. This page explains the options in a generic way; the exact rules are always in the terms of the operator you play with and, where one exists, in the rules of your country's self-exclusion register.
The ladder of tools, from light to strong
- Deposit limit. Caps the money you can pay in per day, week or month. Lowering it usually takes effect at once; raising it usually waits.
- Loss and wager limits. Cap what you can lose or stake over a period, regardless of how many deposits you make.
- Session limit and reality check. Stop or interrupt long sessions with a reminder of time and balance.
- Cooling-off. A short break during which you cannot log in or deposit.
- Self-exclusion. A longer block on the account, often for months or years, that cannot normally be lifted early.
If the problem is spending more than planned, a firm deposit limit may be enough. If the problem is that you cannot stop thinking about playing, go further up the ladder.
What happens to your money
Before you activate a block, look at the cashier. Three situations are common:
- Real-money balance. Request a withdrawal first. Many operators pay out remaining funds after self-exclusion, but the process is simpler while the account is still fully active.
- Pending withdrawal. Do not cancel it. Let it complete, and if verification is still open, upload the requested documents before you lock the account.
- Active bonus. Bonus money and unfinished wagering are normally forfeited on closure. That is not a reason to keep playing to "clear" it; the bonus is not worth more than the decision to stop.
Ask support in writing how your balance will be handled and keep the reply. The withdrawal guide explains the verification step that often decides how quickly the last payout arrives.
Operator self-exclusion versus a national register
A self-exclusion set inside one operator's account protects you from that operator. Some groups extend it to all their brands, but others do not, and nothing stops a new account elsewhere. A national register, where your country runs one, works differently: you apply once and every operator licensed in that country must refuse you for the registered period. If you want a block that holds across sites, look up whether such a register exists where you live; the regulator named in an operator's footer or your national health service can point you to it.
Making the block stick
Self-exclusion is easier to keep when the money routes are closed too. Some banks let you block gambling payments on a card from the banking app. Device-level blocking software can stop gambling sites from loading on your phone and computer. Unsubscribe from casino e-mails and delete saved logins and card details from your browser. None of these is perfect on its own; together they remove the easy path back.
Where to get help
You do not need to wait for a crisis to talk to someone. Gambling Therapy offers free online support with chat and forums in many languages. Gamblers Anonymous helps you find mutual-help meetings. A national gambling helpline, where your country has one, can also explain local self-exclusion options. More practical tips are on the responsible gambling page.