Everything You Need to Know About Self-Exclusion in Gambling

🚫 What is Self-Exclusion in Gambling?

Self-exclusion is usually the final step in a responsible gambling program, whereby players voluntarily exclude themselves from the casino. If it works as it should, they won’t be able to access their online gambling account or deposit/play inside a land-based casino.

Most of these programs apply to specific casinos or operators, but some are industry-wide. The aforementioned GAMSTOP, for instance, excludes players from certain gambling activities across all licensed sites in the United Kingdom. Similar self-exclusion programs exist elsewhere and span states, regions, or entire countries, including:

• United States: Gambling rules in the United States differ from state to state, so self-exclusion programs are usually available through state-specific programs.The National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program was launched in 2024 to simplify the process and provide nationwide self-exclusions, but at the time of writing, only a few states have signed up, including California and Colorado.
• Canada: As with the United States, self-exclusions work on a regional basis. Players can visit a GameSense Info Centre to chat with an advisor or call their local authorities:
  • Alberta: The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) helpline—780-447-7582.
  • British Columbia: The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) support line: 1-866-815-0222.
  • Manitoba: The Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Security Office—204-957-2500 ext. 8468.
  • Ontario: The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission’s (OLG) My PlayBreak program deals with self-exclusions across the province. Players can ask about the program in a gaming establishment or call the OLG at 1-800-387-0098.
  • New Brunswick: 506-861-4699.
  • Nova Scotia: Casinos have a Responsible Gambling Resource Centre to assist with self-exclusions, or players can dial (902) 563-3797 in Sydney and 902-424-8663 in Halifax.
  • Prince Edward Island: Players must call the PlayWise Information Centre at 902-620-4267.
  • Quebec: There are responsible gambling centres in all casinos.
  • Saskatchewan: Players can request self-exclusion in any casino.
  • Northwest Territories: 1-800-661-0844.
  • Nunavut: 1-800-265-3333.
  • Yukon: 1-866-456-3838.
• United Kingdom: In addition to GAMSTOP, which excludes players from all licensed establishments, UK casinos must also offer their own self-exclusion programs. These are usually available in the player’s account under the “Responsible Gambling” section.
• Australia: Australia, like the UK, operates a National Self-Exclusive Register known as BetStop. It’s a free program, and it only takes a few seconds to sign up. After signing up, players will be prevented from opening new betting accounts, placing wagers, and receiving marketing messages from casinos and sportsbooks.

❓ What Happens if You Self-Exclude?

The exact terms of a self-exclusion differ by region and operator, but a self-exclusion will typically stop players from:

• Making a deposit and placing wagers at a specific casino/sportsbook.
• Joining new gambling sites (if the user has self-excluded via a state or nationwide program).
• Receiving marketing materials, including those related to bonuses and new games.
• Immediately canceling the self-exclusion (a minimum waiting period applies).

If the user self-excludes from a specific online casino, they will also be prevented from joining other sites owned by the same operator. This is key, as the gambling industry is full of major operators that run numerous domains, including brands such as Entain, Flutter Entertainment, Broadway Gaming, Jumpman Gaming, and Evoke.

🔓 How Do You Remove Yourself from Self-Exclusion?

How you remove a self-exclusion depends on how it was initiated in the first place:

• Contact the licensing authority
• Speak with the casino or betting operator
• Cancel the exclusion in your casino account or the account managed by a responsible gambling program like GAMSTOP

However, the whole point of self-exclusion is to prevent problem gamblers from accessing their accounts or joining new sites/casinos. If canceling a self-exclusion and placing more bets were easy, it wouldn’t fix anything, and players could start gambling again in a few quick clicks.

To negate this, players are required to wait for a specific length of time:

• 24 hours: If the self-exclusion is implemented for an undetermined period of time, the player will be asked to wait for at least 24 hours after canceling before they can deposit/gamble again. Depending on the nature of the self-exclusion, that waiting period may extend to a week or a month.
• One year: Some self-exclusions last for a minimum of one year, and others stretch for five years. In the state of New Jersey, for instance, players can only request to remove a self-exclusion after a minimum of one year and may be asked to wait for up to five years.

🧠 Is Self-Exclusion the Right Move?

Self-exclusion isn’t always the answer.

Casinos, particularly online casinos, offer a number of tools to help players control their gambling without resorting to a self-exclusion:

• Reality Checks: A notification appears at certain intervals (set by the user) to remind the player how long they have been gambling.
• Profit and Loss: Some authorities, including those in the UK, require casinos to show players how much they have won and lost during specific periods, including a single session, a month, and over the lifetime of their account. Many gamblers are prone to remembering their wins and forgetting their losses, so these reminders make everything clear.
• Limits: Deposit limits prevent players from depositing more than a predetermined amount every month. They are one of the most commonly available and widely used responsible gambling tools, and they help players to avoid depositing more than they can afford to lose. They’re also used by non-problem gamblers to help them stick to a budget.
• Loss/Session Limits: In addition to deposit limits, players can also set limits that prevent them from losing or wagering more than a specific amount.
• Time-out: A time-out works a lot like a self-exclusion, as it prevents players from using the casino for a predetermined period of time. The difference is that time-outs are usually shorter and will end after the time-out period has elapsed.

Most regulators also require their licensees to offer self-assessments and provide links to problem gambling resources.

🚩 Do I Need a Self-Exclusion?

You should consider using a self-exclusion (or other problem gambling resources) if you recognize any of the following signs:

• You are preoccupied with gambling
• You gamble money that you don’t have
• You borrow to gamble
• You have tried and failed to reduce your gambling
• You hide your activities/losses from your loved ones
• You distance yourself from friends and family
• Your work/school suffers as a result of your gambling

⏳ How Long is Self-Exclusion?

The length of a self-exclusion will depend on the player, operator, or program. Some of them will exclude the player indefinitely, with the exclusion period ending only when the player chooses to end it. Others run for a period of one to five years, and while some of them can be ended, a specific period of time must elapse first.

🚨 What Happens if You Gamble While Self-Excluded?

📅 How Can I Find Out When My Self-Exclusion Ends?

✅ Summary: Self-Exclusions in the Gambling Industry

A self-exclusion is when players voluntarily exclude themselves from casinos and other betting establishments, either by using a state/national program or going through the casino. It usually lasts at least a year and is not easy to overturn, but it ensures players can’t join new sites/casinos or make further deposits.

It’s a good option for players who are struggling to control their gambling, but it’s not the only tool available, with others including time-outs, deposit limits, loss limits, and reality checks.