Can I Ban Myself from Online Gambling?

For most customers at betting sites, gambling is seen as a form of entertainment and done primarily for fun in a responsible way. 

But for a minority, gambling can become an addiction and a real problem. Thankfully, there are tools in place at all betting sites to help customers control the amount of time and money spent gambling. And if that doesn’t work, there’s the betting self exclusion option. 

Understanding Self-Exclusion

Some customers don’t have the self-control to keep their gambling in check and feel the need to request that the betting operator prevents them from even accessing the betting site. This is called online gambling self-exclusion, and a similar option and process also exists for land-based casinos and betting shops. 

The answer to the simple question ‘can I ban myself from online gambling?’ is a resounding ‘yes’ because by law, all gambling sites have to give customers the option to do so. 

What does it mean to self-exclude?

Here's how self exclusion works: 

• The amount of time you can ban yourself from being able to access the gambling site(s) varies from country to country. In the UK for example, it’s usually between six months and five years. 

• After selecting the initial time period, you cannot change it and won’t be able to access the site during the self-exclusion period, even if you request to do so. 

• You will have to provide proof of identity. That’s because whereas you can self-exclude, you can’t ask for someone else to be excluded.

• You’ll also be removed from all marketing databases so won’t be contacted about promos, as these might tempt you to return to gambling. 

• The information provided to the betting operator(s) regarding the self-exclusion from online gambling is confidential and they won’t share it with anyone else. 

How to Ban Yourself from Online Gambling

And here’s how to ban yourself from online gambling. 

• Navigate to the Responsible Gambling section of the betting site you want to be self-excluded from. 

• In some countries you can go a step further and self-exclude from all gambling sites licensed in that country at the same time. In the UK for example, this is done via a third-party, GAMSTOP, which has been around since 2020. 

• You’ll need to provide an ID/photo/proof of address by uploading it to the gambling site to prove you’re the person wishing to self-exclude. 

• Choose your self-exclusion period. It can be: six months, one year or five years. 

• Wait for confirmation about your self exclusion from the betting site. If you don’t receive it because of human or technical error, follow it up to make sure it’s done and that you get the confirmation. 

Alternatives to self-exclusion

Self-exclusion is the most drastic measure when it comes to tackling the issue of gambling getting out of control. But it’s not the only measure and more moderate alternatives are also all available at all betting sites. Such as: 

• Limiting how much you deposit every day, week, or month. 

• Set a limit on how much you lose over any given period. 

• Request for an on-site reminder when you’ve been logged in and playing for a particular time period (30 mins, an hour).

• Take a Time Out where you still self-exclude but for a shorter period: up to 30 days at most betting sites.

Image Credit: Unsplash