Self-exclusion
Self-exclusion is a formal request to be blocked from gambling with an operator, or with many operators at once, for a period of at least six months. In the UK the operator must close your account, stop marketing to you and take steps to stop you opening a new one, and the block stays in place until you choose to return.
By the Best Slots UK team. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Self-exclusion at a UK-licensed operator lasts a minimum of six months.
- It cannot be lifted early, and it doesn’t end automatically when the period finishes.
- Excluding at one site covers that operator; GAMSTOP covers every UK-licensed website and app.
- It works best combined with bank gambling blocks, blocking software and support.
- Minimum period
- 6 months
- Ends early?
- No
- After the period
- Stays until you take action
- Online-wide scheme
- GAMSTOP
- Cost
- Nothing
What self-exclusion means
Self-exclusion is the strongest of the safer gambling tools, and the one with real legal weight behind it. Where a time-out is a short pause and a deposit limit is a budget, self-exclusion is an agreement that you will not gamble with that operator at all, and that the operator will do its part to keep it that way. The person asking is the person excluded: nobody else can self-exclude you.
Every gambling business licensed by the UKGC has to offer it for its online and high-street customers alike.
What a UK operator must do after you self-exclude
- Close your account, or lock it for gambling, as soon as practicable.
- Return any balance in the account to you.
- Stop sending you marketing about gambling.
- Take reasonable steps to stop you opening a new account with them during the exclusion.
- Keep the exclusion in place for at least six months, with no early lifting.
When the period you chose runs out, the exclusion does not switch off by itself. It stays in place until you take positive action to return, and the operator will normally require a cooling-off period and direct contact before reopening anything.
Types of self-exclusion in Great Britain
| Type | Covers | How to request | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single operator | That operator’s sites and apps | Account settings or customer service | 6 months upwards |
| GAMSTOP | Every UK-licensed online gambling website and app | The GAMSTOP website | 6 months, 1 year or 5 years |
| Betting shops | Shops of participating bookmakers in an area | In a shop or through the national scheme | Varies by scheme |
| Land-based casinos and bingo halls | Venues in each sector’s scheme | At a venue or through the sector scheme | Varies by scheme |
For online slots, the choice is usually between excluding from the one site causing trouble and using GAMSTOP to cover them all. Many people do both, since excluding directly with an operator takes effect on that account immediately.
How to self-exclude from an online slot site
- Withdraw any balance you want back, or note the amount so you can check it is returned.
- Open Safer Gambling in your account, or contact live chat or email support.
- Choose Self-Exclusion and pick a period of at least six months.
- Confirm the request; the account is closed or locked once processed.
- Register with GAMSTOP as well if you want every other UK-licensed site blocked too.
Our full walkthrough of self-excluding from slot sites covers what to say to support and what confirmation to expect.
What self-exclusion can’t do on its own
Self-exclusion relies on the operator matching you to the request. It covers UK-licensed businesses only, so offshore sites without a British licence are outside it, and those sites carry their own risks. Adding a gambling block on your bank card and installing blocking software closes those gaps; our guide on how to block gambling sites lists the options. If you notice yourself searching for sites outside the scheme, our page on spotting unlicensed slot sites explains why they are best avoided.
Terms related to self-exclusion
- GAMSTOP: the national online self-exclusion scheme.
- Time-out: a break of up to six weeks.
- Loss limit: a cap on net losses for those still playing.
- KYC: the identity checks that help operators match excluded customers.
Our gambling support services page lists free help across the UK, including NHS gambling clinics.
18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is self-exclusion in gambling?
Self-exclusion is a request you make to be blocked from gambling with an operator for a minimum of six months. The operator closes your account, returns your balance, stops marketing and takes steps to stop you opening a new account. It cannot be cancelled early, and when the period ends it stays in place until you choose to return. You can exclude from one operator directly or from every UK-licensed online site through GAMSTOP. The responsible gambling page lists other tools.
How long does self-exclusion last?
Self-exclusion at a UK-licensed operator lasts at least six months, and you can usually choose longer periods such as a year or five years. Importantly, it does not end automatically. When the period you chose is over, the exclusion stays active until you contact the operator and take positive steps to return, which normally includes a cooling-off period. GAMSTOP works on a similar basis with fixed options of six months, one year or five years. The guide on how to take a break from slots compares the options.
Can I cancel self-exclusion early?
No, self-exclusion cannot be cancelled or shortened once it starts, whether you ask the operator or a scheme such as GAMSTOP. That firmness is what makes it effective, because it holds during the moments when the urge to gamble is strongest. If you want a shorter break, a time-out of 24 hours to six weeks is the right tool instead. If you are struggling during an exclusion, the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 is free and open around the clock.
What happens to my money when I self-exclude?
Your remaining balance is returned to you when the operator closes or locks your account, normally to a payment method in your name. If the operator still needs identity or payment checks completed, those may have to be finished before money can be sent. If funds do not arrive, contact the operator’s support team and keep a record. Our verification documents guide explains what may be requested.
Does self-exclusion cover other casinos in the same group?
Sometimes, but not reliably, so check with the operator. When several brands share one licence holder and one account system, an exclusion may apply across all of them; when they run separately, it may not. The dependable way to cover every UK-licensed gambling website and app is to register with GAMSTOP, which is free. Our guide on checking a slot site’s licence shows how to see which company runs a site and which brands share its licence.
Is self-exclusion the same as GAMSTOP?
No, GAMSTOP is one form of self-exclusion. Excluding with a single operator blocks only that business, while GAMSTOP blocks you from every gambling website and app licensed in Great Britain in one registration. Both last at least six months, and neither can be ended early. Many people use both, since a direct exclusion closes an account immediately and GAMSTOP covers sites they might otherwise move to. The GAMSTOP entry explains registration and what to expect.