Self-exclusion and limits: how to take a break
Sometimes the right move is to stop for a while, or for good. Casinos and regulators offer several ways to do that, from a short timeout to a permanent exclusion. They differ in how long they last, how hard they are to reverse and how many operators they cover. This guide explains each option and how to use it.
Set deposit limit and loss limit first
If you want to keep playing but with firm boundaries, start in the account settings. Set deposit limit values per day, week and month — the lowest of them applies. A loss limit caps net losses over a period. Choose numbers you would be comfortable with on your worst day, not your best. When you want to raise a limit later, a good operator makes you wait; that delay is a feature.
Take a break: timeout and cooling-off
A timeout locks the account for a short period, often from 24 hours to a few weeks. A cooling off period works the same way and is typically used after a bad session or during a stressful time. During a cooling-off, you cannot deposit or play, and marketing messages should stop. When the period ends, the account reopens automatically at most operators — so plan what you will do then.
How to self-exclude at one operator
- Open the responsible gambling or account limits section, or contact customer support.
- Choose the exclusion period: commonly six months, a year, several years or permanent.
- Withdraw any remaining balance before or as part of the request, if the operator allows.
- Ask for written confirmation, and unsubscribe from all marketing.
An exclusion at one operator applies only there, and sometimes to its sister brands. It does not stop you from opening an account elsewhere.
National self-exclusion schemes
Many countries run central registers that licensed operators must check before letting someone play. Registering there blocks access to all locally licensed sites at once. These schemes only work at licensed operators: an unlicensed or foreign site that does not hold a local licence has no obligation to check the register and usually does not. That is one more reason to pay attention to licensing.
Living in Belgium? If you live in Belgium, the rules are stricter: 21+, Kansspelcommissie licences only on .be domains, SOS Gokken 0800 35 777 — see the Dutch version.
In Belgium, the central system is EPIS, run by the Kansspelcommissie; it applies to licensed casinos, arcades and betting, both real and online, and can be requested through gamingcommission.be.
Extra barriers that help
- Gambling blocks in your banking app stop card payments to gambling merchants.
- Blocking software on phones and computers prevents access to gambling sites.
- Deleting saved cards and apps removes the easiest routes back.
Support while you take a break
A break is easier with support. Gambling Therapy offers free online help worldwide, and Gamblers Anonymous runs meetings in many countries. More tools and warning signs are on the responsible gambling page; if an operator ignores your exclusion, see complaints. Payment-side tools are covered under payments.