We’re here to tell you who self-exclusion is for, what exactly happens when you do it and what your next steps should be.
Self-exclusion from online gambling is a big step. We get it.
But sometimes it’s the only answer. If you’re experiencing negative experiences as a result of your gambling, we encourage you to embrace this option with open arms.
Of course, it’s important to know exactly what that means before you do choose self-exclusion, so we’re here to tell you what you need to know.
Self-exclusion is an option online gambling sites give people to stop gambling for a substantial period of time or indefinitely.
Although time periods vary depending on where you gamble, the typical self-exclusion periods you’ll find are six months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years or forever.
When you self-exclude, you won’t be able to use your account for betting or gaming at any time. Most sites will also automatically remove you from their marketing lists too.
There’s also a short-term option called a time out, which limits access for anything from a couple of hours to three months.
Deciding to self-exclude can be tricky. But if you think you’re at risk of developing a gambling problem or if you fear you might already have one, this is the right choice for you.
Sometimes it’s hard to admit these things to ourselves, so think carefully and try to be objective. Have you noticed any gambling problem warning signs? Have your loved ones spoken to you about your gambling? These things might just be a signal of something you need to take very seriously.
In our experience, if you’re starting to think that self-exclusion might be the right thing for you to do, it’s a pretty good sign you should do it.
Although you won’t be able to use your account to place bets, you will still be able to withdraw any cash left in your account.
Having said that, we’d advise you to withdraw your cash before you opt for self-exclusion, just so you won’t have to log in again. Best to make a clean break where possible.
No, you can’t. You won’t be able to reopen your account under any circumstances. This is key to self-exclusion as it’s removing as much temptation as possible. And if you try to open a new account, reliable online sites will do their best to find and shut down those accounts too.
After all, self-exclusion is designed to stop problem gambling. For that reason, it’s taken very seriously. If you self-exclude, it’s going to stay that way until the chosen period is over.
Self-exclusion is a fantastic first step, but it’s not the only thing you should do. We’d highly recommend uninstalling all gambling apps from your phone, unfollowing gambling accounts on social and considering installing gambling blocking software.
Like we said before, this is a first step. There are practical things you need to address too to start your recovery. Telling loved ones about your problems, getting professional support, joining a group like Gamblers Anonymous and getting your finances back in check will all help you overcome that addiction.
There are many organisations around the world ready to help you do all of that and more. Here are just some of them:
18+ Always remember to gamble responsibly. Check out bet365’s Safer Gambling page for more details or go to GambleAware.org for advice, tools and support.
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