Self-exclusion is a formal process that allows a person to voluntarily request that they be blocked from accessing gambling services for a set period of time or permanently. It is one of the most effective tools available to people who are struggling to control their gambling and want to put a barrier between themselves and gambling opportunities. Self-exclusion can be applied at individual casinos, across multiple operators simultaneously through national schemes, or globally through third-party blocking tools.
When a self-exclusion request is processed, the casino or scheme is legally required to close or suspend the player's account, refund any remaining account balance, and take steps to prevent the player from opening new accounts during the exclusion period. In regulated markets, operators that knowingly allow self-excluded players to continue gambling face serious regulatory consequences including significant fines and licence suspensions.
Problem gambling affects millions of people worldwide. The accessibility of online casinos — available 24 hours a day from any device — can make it particularly difficult for people with gambling problems to limit their play without external assistance. Self-exclusion provides a meaningful structural barrier that complements other forms of support such as counselling, peer support groups, and financial management assistance.
Research consistently shows that self-exclusion, when implemented effectively, reduces gambling activity and related harm. It works best as part of a broader support plan, but even as a standalone tool, it can provide critical breathing space for people who need to step back from gambling urgently. Taking the step to self-exclude is a sign of strength and self-awareness, not weakness.
Many countries with regulated online gambling markets operate national self-exclusion schemes that allow players to exclude themselves from all licensed operators in one step. Key schemes include:
In addition to national schemes, all reputable online casinos offer their own self-exclusion tools within the responsible gambling section of their platform. These tools typically allow you to self-exclude from a single casino for a set period ranging from a few weeks to permanently. Most licensed casinos make this option available directly within your account settings, without requiring you to contact customer support.
When self-excluding through a casino's own tools, the exclusion applies only to that specific operator. If you use multiple casino accounts, you will need to self-exclude from each one separately, or use a national or global scheme to block multiple operators at once. We recommend using national schemes where available, as they provide broader coverage and are typically monitored by regulators.
Blocking software provides an additional layer of protection by preventing access to gambling websites at the device or network level. These tools are particularly useful for people who want to block gambling sites across all operators, including those not covered by national self-exclusion schemes. Key tools include:
Self-exclusion is designed to be a meaningful commitment, and most schemes and casinos build in protections to prevent hasty reversal of an exclusion during a moment of vulnerability. For casino-level exclusions, the minimum exclusion period is typically respected absolutely, with no option to reactivate an account early regardless of the reason given. After the minimum period, a deliberate request and often a cooling-off period are required before an account can be reinstated.
For national schemes such as GAMSTOP, the minimum exclusion period is six months, after which the registration can be removed upon request — but the removal is subject to a seven-day cooling-off period. If you are considering ending a self-exclusion, we strongly recommend speaking with a gambling counsellor first to assess whether you are ready to gamble safely and with control. Organisations such as GamCare offer free, confidential counselling and can help you make this assessment.
If gambling is causing problems in your life, help is available and you do not need to face it alone. The following organisations provide free, confidential support:
You can also contact the National Gambling Helpline in your country for immediate, confidential advice. In the UK, the helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0808 8020 133.
