Everything You Need to Know About Self-Exclusion in Gambling

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.

If you’re not sure how long your self-exclusion lasts or need clarification before joining, check the terms of the program or speak with a customer support representative first.

What Happens if You Gamble While Self-Excluded?

Casinos have a duty of care and must protect self-excluded players, making sure they can’t access gambling services while their exclusion is active.

However, there have been many occasions in which players have bypassed these programs, either because they’re found ways to circumvent the rules or because of a lapse of judgment on the casino’s part.

Such activities usually result in hefty fines for casino operators, so they typically go out of their way to secure these programs, but it’s not always possible.

Casinos have a duty of care and must protect self-excluded players, making sure they can’t access gambling services while their exclusion is active.

However, there have been many occasions in which players have bypassed these programs, either because they’re found ways to circumvent the rules or because of a lapse of judgment on the casino’s part.

Such activities usually result in hefty fines for casino operators, so they typically go out of their way to secure these programs, but it’s not always possible.

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

Contact your local authorities if you excluded through them. Alternatively, you can contact the casino operator directly. If you self-excluded online, you won’t be able to access your full account, but you may still be given access to specific parts, and these may show you when and if the self-exclusion ends.

If not, check the initial correspondence they sent you. That should tell you all that you need to know. Alternatively, send them an email and ask for more details.

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.