Gambling Self Exclusion – Turning Away From Online Casinos

Posted: April 22, 2024

Updated: April 22, 2024

The very nature of the business of gambling is to make it as addictive as possible. After all, casinos want players returning again and again to spend their money on the casino games. Thanks to the built-in house edge, the casino will always come out on top. So if you find yourself falling under the spell of gambling, it might be time to consider some form of self exclusion.

Over the past decade, we've witnessed a rise in smartphone usage, improved internet connections, and the convenience of accessing online casinos. This has helped to make online gambling immensely popular. While this is exciting for those who enjoy gambling responsibly, it also means more people are going to be facing gambling-related issues. Thankfully, regulated online casino platforms provide various tools to help users prevent addiction. Or set limits on their gambling habits. One effective tool is gambling self exclusion. This allows individuals to restrict their access to gambling. In this Gamingzion.com guide, we'll explain everything you need to know about gambling self exclusion, including how to sign up for it.

What’s Gambling Self-Exclusion At Online Casinos?

Gambling self exclusion, also referred to as self-banning, is a tool designed for players to restrict access to casinos and abstain from online gambling for a period of time. Traditional land-based casinos don't offer this option. But most of the best online casino sites in the US like King Billy Casino provide self-exclusion periods that typically range from six months to five years. It's up to you to decide the duration of the restriction you wish to impose. Depending on the online casino, there are several ways to utilize the self-exclusion feature. These include:

Self-exclusion from a specific online casino.
Self-exclusion from a particular online casino product.
Self-exclusion from a group of casinos based on ownership or region.

Let's delve into each option to understand what they entail and to help provide a clearer perspective.

From An Online Casino

Banning yourself from a specific online casino is the most common form of self-exclusion. To request gambling self exclusion from an online casino platform, simply follow these steps:

Visit the online casino website.
Look for the "Responsible Gambling" section.
Select all of the casino products.
Choose the duration for your self-exclusion.

Once you confirm your request, the self-exclusion will be effective immediately. Here's what that means in real terms:

You won't be able to deposit funds into your casino account.
You won't be able to place bets on casino games or other products.
You won't be able to log in to your online casino account.
The casino won't send you promotional offers during the self-exclusion period.

If you're having trouble finding the gambling self exclusion feature, don't hesitate to reach out to the casino's customer support for assistance. Moreover, if your casino doesn't offer the self-exclusion option, check if they're licensed and contact the regulator. Every licensed operator should provide this choice to their customers. If it doesn't, then we suggest you should simply move on and look for another licensed online casino Ideally, you want to see a gaming license from the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority.

From An Online Casino Product

Self-exclusion from a specific online casino product is commonly chosen by players who struggle with only certain types of gambling activities. The main products available for self-exclusion in most online casinos are sports betting, casino games, and poker. Here's how to make a request for self-exclusion from a specific online casino product:

Go to your online casino.
Navigate to the "Responsible Gambling" section.
Choose the specific casino product you wish to self-exclude from.
Decide the duration of your self-exclusion.

Once you've self-excluded from a specific casino product, the changes should take effect immediately, meaning:

You can still deposit funds into your casino account.
However, you won't be able to place bets on the specific products you've self-excluded from.
You'll still be able to log in to your casino account.
The casino won't send you promotional offers related to the specific product you've self-excluded from. However, they may send other ongoing promotions.

This option can be highly beneficial. So don't hesitate to use the gambling self-exclusion feature if you encounter any difficulties while playing online.

Gambling Self Exclusion From All Bookies And Casinos

According to online casino news in the US, some companies that own multiple casino platforms offer the option for customers to self-exclude from all of their casinos with just one request. Here's how to request self-exclusion from an online casino platform and all of its sister casinos:

Go to the online casino platform.
Navigate to the "Responsible Gambling" section.
Select all of the casino products.
Choose the "I want to exclude from all casinos owned by the company" option.
Determine the duration of your self-exclusion.

Once you opt to self-exclude from all casinos operated by the same company, you won't be able to deposit funds, place any bets, or log into your casino accounts. This functions similarly to restricting yourself from a single casino, but it applies to multiple brands operated by the same parent company.

Gambling Self Exclusion Results

The only comprehensive way to practice gambling self exclusion from all online gambling activities is by enrolling in a self-exclusion list, typically available in countries where gambling is legalized. To join, you'll need to undergo ID verification, providing proof of identity and a photo. Once enrolled:

You'll be excluded from all licensed online casino operators for a minimum of six months.
You'll be removed from all licensed casino marketing databases.
Licensed casinos won't contact you during the self-exclusion period.
You can't end self-exclusion before the initial period expires.

Generally, individuals on the gambling self exclusion list are prohibited from playing, winning, chasing losses, or receiving complimentary services or gifts from licensed casinos. Although specific rules may vary from country to country, the process is quite similar overall, overseen by different regulatory bodies. To illustrate this, let's take a look at how the two largest online casino markets handle this matter.

From Online Gambling In The UK

If you're residing in Great Britain and wish to self-exclude from online gambling, you have options to do so for durations of 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. The most effective method in the UK is to enroll in self-exclusion lists such as GAMSTOP or GameSense. GAMSTOP empowers UK residents to manage their online casino activities. Once registered, you'll be barred from playing on all casino websites and apps licensed in Great Britain for your chosen period. GameSense offers a feature called Game Break, allowing UK residents to pause online gambling for six months, one year, two years, or three years. Once you apply for Game Break, the gambling self exclusion begins immediately and cannot be terminated early.

Regarding Online Gambling In The US

Self-exclusion in the US is primarily managed by state-level gaming control boards. However, not all states where gambling is legal offer online self-exclusion tools. Hence, the optimal solution for US residents seeking self-exclusion from online gambling is to opt for PlayPause. This tool, which can be found at King Billy Casino, enables US residents to self-exclude themselves from gambling across multiple states, ensuring a safer gambling environment.

Gambling Self Exclusion - Signs To Watch Out For

For those of you who are new to online gambling, navigating the experience can be daunting. In truth, it can potentially lead to significant consequences. However, to simplify matters, we've compiled a list of recommendations for gambling self exclusion from gambling. Consider self-excluding if you notice any of the following aspects start to creep into your gambling habit:

Feeling the need for a gambling break but unable to stop.
Playing without enjoyment, yet continuing on autopilot.
Experiencing negative financial impacts due to online gambling.
Feeling stressed while gambling.
Gambling solely to recoup losses.
Requiring large sums of money to experience excitement.
Becoming restless when unable to gamble.
Constantly thinking about gambling, even when not playing online.
Lying about the amount of money lost while gambling.

Even if you identify just one of the above signs, serious consideration should be given to self-exclusion. This is because, in many cases, just a single one of the above points can often be a precursor to further issues. We all know that online gambling can be highly addictive. As such, this can end up leading to significant challenges in one's life. It can also have a serious impact on your relationships with friends and family. If you ever feel overwhelmed, then gambling self exclusion may be the best course of action. Remember to view casinos as platforms for entertainment. Always follow the rule of never gambling with money beyond your means or with the expectation of winning. Enjoying occasional casino play for fun ensures a healthy approach, even if you happen to lose a few dollars in the process.