How Self-Exclusion works

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Self-exclusion is a voluntary legal and technical measure when a player himself asks to block his access to gambling for a certain period. The goal is to create a "hard pause" in which it is impossible to break with an impulse. Below is how it works in practice, what to expect and how to build self-exclusion into your personal recovery plan.

1) Types of self-exclusion: from narrow to complete

1. Operator level. A specific casino/bookmaker is blocked (all your accounts are with this brand/group).

2. Inter-operator (multi-operator). Covers multiple brands in the same network or under the same platform vendor.

3. National/regional registries. Block entry to all licensed operators in the country/region, often synchronized with identity verification (KYC) and marketing blacklists.

💡 Rule: the wider the coverage, the stronger the protection. Start at least at the operator level; at risk of relapse - proceed to a national registry if available.

2) What exactly is blocked

Deposits and rates. Payment transactions to the game account are rejected.

Marketing. Email/SMS/push mailings are blacklisted (separate confirmation may be required).

Create new accounts. According to KYC (full name/date of birth/documents) and digital characteristics (mail/phone/devices/IP), multiaccounting attempts are tracked and blocked.

What is not automatically guaranteed:

Unlicensed/offshore sites may not be part of the perimeter of registries.
Payment through new wallets/crypto outside the perimeter of bank barriers may remain possible.
Content and streams in social networks are not blocked - they need to be turned off manually/through soft filters.

3) Cooling time and "period"

Typical options: 24-72 hours (cool-off), 1-6 months, 1-5 years, sometimes indefinitely.

Access cannot be unlocked during self-exclusion. This is the principle of "non-return pause."

After the end of the long term, there is a cooling-off period - from 24 hours to several weeks: even if the term is out, the account is not activated instantly until you regularly confirm the decision and pass the check.

4) Application: step by step (10-15 minutes)

1. Go to your personal account → the section "Limits/Responsible play/Self-exclusion."

2. Choose a deadline (better more than the "minimum" if there have already been breakdowns).

3. Confirm identity (KYC): document, selfie, sometimes a call from support.

4. Turn off marketing (check the boxes "do not send email/SMS/push").

5. Fix the communication channel for legal notifications (email).

6. Screen the confirmation and record the end date of the pause.

7. Repeat the procedure with other operators or in the national registry (if available).

5) What will happen to balance, bets and bonuses

The money in the account is yours. Withdrawal is possible (through support/CCM), but new deposits are prohibited.

Active bonuses/freespins are usually canceled.

Pending bets/tournaments are calculated according to the rules; the win is taken out, but the game cannot continue.

Disputes/chargebacks are resolved separately from the fact of self-exclusion.

6) How self-exclusion is removed (after term)

1. The cooling-off → has expired. You are being reminded to "withdraw/renew? ».

2. Repeated CCM/survey (about limits, reasons for return, confirmation of rules).

3. Gradual activation. Sometimes - with mandatory limits (rate/deposits/time) at the start.

4. Right to refuse. You may not activate access even after the deadline - the pause will last de facto.

7) Frequent misconceptions - and how to

Myth: "Self-exclusion will solve everything by itself."

Fact: it's a lock on the door, but you need a plan: finance, diary, blockers, buddy.

Myth: "If I change my mind, I'll take it off tomorrow."

Fact: irrevocability is the main meaning of the measure. You protect yourself from momentum beforehand.

Myth: "The registry will block the entire Internet."

Fact: It overlaps the licensed perimeter. Offshore/crypto sites must be closed with other tools.

8) What to combine self-exclusion (protection amplifiers)

Blocking software/filters on "gambling" categories on PC and phone (code from a trusted person).

Bank barriers: daily card limits, a separate "game" wallet with a zero limit, a ban on new credit cards.

Social "buddy." Short report once a week (metrics/settings).

Diary "6 lines." Fact → emotion → one lesson → one correction.

The plan of the day without triggers: sleep, water, walks, a minimum of streams/chats about the game.

9) Protocol "72 hours before and after" (if they decide to self-exclude)

Day 0 (now)

Draw up self-exclusion (at least for the current operator, better - multi/national).

Lower card limits to 0; delete saved cards/auto payments.

Turn on the "gambling" blocker, turn off the fluffs/mailings.

Write buddy: "Excluded for [term]. Sentiment report tomorrow at 19:00."

Day 1

"Reset" of the body: breathing 4-4-4-4 × 8 cycles, 20-min walk, water/sleep.

Remove triggers: unsubscribe from streams/chats, hide/delete applications.

Finance: spread out money for "five containers" (Obligatory / Reserve/purpose/discretion/game =0).

Day 2-3

10 minutes of the diary: emotions 0-10, thoughts about "return," a list of substitutes for traction.

If necessary, an appointment with a specialist (CBT/motivational interviewing).

10) How to understand which deadline to choose

If this is the first conscious stop and there is no debt → 1-3 months.

If there were relapses/dogons/stealth → 6-12 months + blockers and social control.

If there are debts and a long loss of control → 12 months or more, in parallel - a financial plan and professional support.

11) Borders and privacy

Self-exclusion relies on your personal data, which is stored by the operator/registry for the purpose of "blocking access."

Marketing channels must be disabled; you may request removal from advertising lists.

In national registries, data may be made available to all licensed operators strictly to verify entry.

12) Mistakes that break down

Limited to one operator, leaving others open.

Left saved cards/wallets and push notifications.

They did not change the environment: they continue to watch streams/chats - they grow cravings.

They did not prescribe a plan for the day → a "vacuum" is formed, which is easily filled with an old habit.

13) Mini checklist (pin in notes)

Applied (operator/interoperator/national registry).
Disabled marketing, deleted saved cards/auto payments.
Turned on the "gambling" blocker, code for buddy.
Balance withdrawn/fixed, deposits = 0.
There's a 72-hour plan and TV contact with buddy.
6 Lines Diary and 10 minutes weekly review.
List of traction substitutes (sport/shower/walk/call/deed for 10 min).

14) FAQ (short)

Is it possible to remove self-exclusion ahead of schedule?

No, it isn't. The point is to protect against the impulse to "come back tomorrow."

What if another brand has access?

Issue self-exclusion and there or connect to the inter/national register.

What's with the money in the account?

The output is available according to the operator's rules after KYC; new deposits are prohibited.

What if I still found a "hole" through offshore/crypto?

Urgently add blocking software + bank limits + social control and extend the exception for a more stringent period. Consider counseling.

Self-exclusion is not "punishment," but impulse insurance. It works when you make it wide (not one operator, but the entire licensed perimeter), non-refundable for a period and backed up with procedures: banking/digital barriers, diary, 72 hours plan and support for loved ones/specialist. So the pause becomes a real chance to return to a stable life and security.