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What Is Self Exclusion gambling?

Self exclusion gambling, also known as “play break”, is a method for people who want to stop playing for a while or permanently. This may be because they believe that they spend too much time or money gambling and this may have a detrimental effect on their life, family relationships and business performance.

According to the UKGC, self exclusion gambling is “a tool that can be used by players who have realized that gambling is harmful to them and wish to stop playing.”

When requesting self exclusion gambling, you are agreeing with one or a group of casinos to ban your access completely or place certain limits on your gambling behaviour. For example, you can place a cap on your deposits, or set a time limit for your playing sessions. So, initially, all options are available to you to decide how you want to exclude yourself from gambling sites. However, once you confirm the Self exclusion gambling option you cannot stop, modify or change it.

There are two types of Self exclusion gambling schemes; the first type is multi-operator Self exclusion gambling options that allow you to self-exclude yourself from online operators licensed by a designated commission with one request.

The second type is the Self exclusion gambling tools provided by each casino which are also referred to as “responsible gambling tools”.

Once a self exclusion gambling request has been confirmed, whether it is comprehensive or only covers one site, the casino or sports betting site must close your account and return any funds it holds. In addition, the casino is also required to remove your name and data from its marketing database.

How Does Self exclusion gambling Work?

There are different Self exclusion gambling programmes on both licensed and independent gambling sites. Although these programs look different, they contain the following elements:

• You can choose which casinos, sports betting sites or bingo sites you want to exclude yourself from.
• Agree to the terms and conditions that define the self exclusion gambling option you have chosen and list the places you are required to apply that condition. You may also be asked to select a period for self exclusion gambling or to leave it until further notice.
• At the end of the self exclusion gambling period, you have the choice to extend it or resume playing at the casino.

Additional Tools

If a player already has a problem with gambling addiction, then self exclusion gambling alone will not be enough to solve the problem they are facing as the player has to take other steps to get rid of the problem radically to continue their normal life. Some of the most prominent charities that provide free and confidential support to players are:

• GamCare
• Gambler Anonymous

In addition, the player also has to limit the amount of gambling-related content they are exposed to on the Internet, social media, or even on news sites.

When all these tools are used together, the player will gradually lose his urge for gambling and replace it with another beneficial habit. However, it will take a long time, from six months to a year, for the player to adjust to the absence of gambling from their daily life. In addition, the first period will be the most difficult of all especially if the player is already spending a lot of his time gambling.

Breaking Self exclusion gambling

Compliance with all forms of self exclusion gambling is the sole responsibility of the player. Accordingly, the consequences of the self exclusion gambling are also the player's responsibility. Since it is easy for a problem gambling player to slip through, we recommend getting professional support and not being exposed to any gambling-related content during the self exclusion gambling period.

In some non GamStop casinos if a player requests the cancellation of his self exclusion gambling, his request will be accepted and he will be able to resume gambling normally. Although it is the responsibility of the gambling company in question to put in place strong measures to prevent this from happening.

If you feel that a gambling site should have banned you from gambling or if you receive promotional messages during the self exclusion gambling period, you can report that to the relevant licensing committee. This report will be used to consider whether any fine or regulatory action is needed. 

Pros & Cons of Self exclusion gambling for Gamblers

Self exclusion gambling isn't the only solution to get rid of problem gambling. However, it can be effective if it is part of a broader plan aimed at radically eliminating gambling addiction. If someone really wants to gamble they will inevitably find a way to do so which could be sports betting or buying the lotto. Since there is no limit to the internet, these players will always find a new casino to gamble at. In the next section, we will introduce you to the main pros and cons of the Self exclusion gambling options available in non GamStop casinos.

Pros of Self Exclusion Gambling

Here are some of the benefits of using Self exclusion gambling:

• Free Service – Problem gamblers definitely have financial problems, so a free treatment service can be a lifeline for them.
• Multiple options – Unlike multi-operator self exclusion gambling schemes, you can decide which self exclusion gambling option is right for you. For example, you can set your own downtime, limit your deposit, or set a specific period during the week to play in the casino.
• Self exclusion gambling is cancelable – If you feel your decision was wrong from the start or if you find yourself recovering faster from your gambling addiction, you can cancel your self exclusion gambling option and resume playing freely.

Cons of Self Exclusion Gambling

While some things in life seem too good to be true, some would argue that there is always a problem with things. This is also the case with self exclusion gambling methods, as many players have already tried self exclusion gambling tools before and later told us the most prominent disadvantages of these tools, which are:

• Easy to cancel – This is clearly a double-edged sword, although the ease of cancellation may be beneficial for some players, it can be very harmful for many others.
• Self exclusion is limited to one site or a limited set of sites – the self exclusion gambling options are only effective on the site you've subscribed to or only a limited set of gambling sites. Thus, it is very easy for players who are addicted to gambling to find another casino to resume playing there.
• Funds may be freezed after exclusion – after you participate in a self exclusion gambling programme, you are entitled to withdraw your deposit. However, all online casinos impose wagering requirements ranging from 1x to 5x on players’ deposits (even if they do not receive any bonus). The objective of this requirement is to avoid money laundering operations. If you did not meet this requirement prior to participating in the Self exclusion gambling programme, you may not be able to receive your winnings from the casino.

Responsible Gambling Tools Available in Non GamStop Casinos

Playing at an online casino is a fun pastime, but it should not control your life. So it is important to always play responsibly. Online casinos always warn you about the dangers associated with  self exclusion gambling and offer you responsible gambling tools. In the next section, we will discuss the most prominent tools available in non GamStop casinos that you can use any of them if you feel that things are slipping out of your hands. It is worth noting that some of these tools can be used as a precaution to prevent problem gambling.

Time Limit

If you feel that you are wasting a lot of time self exclusion gambling, then the maximum gaming session will be the right choice. Right after logging in to your casino account, you can go to the main page footer and click on the “Responsible Gambling” tab. Then, choose to place a time limit on your gambling sessions. You can set the session time between one minute and two hours. For us, we believe that 30 minutes a week is quite enough time to enjoy an interesting and healthy gambling experience. This way, you can ensure that your gambling behaviour can never get out of control.

Deposit Limit

Do you regret right after you make a new deposit into your casino account? So you can put a max limit on each deposit and a maximum on your deposits over a certain period. For example, you can put a maximum of €1,000 on one deposit and €5,000 on your deposits per month. In this way, you ensure that you do not exceed your self sxclusion gambling budget and at the same time you can enjoy your favourite games. If you try to deposit funds while the specified deposit limit is reached, this is not possible and a message will appear on the screen that you cannot exceed the limit.

Loss Limit

If you do not want to lose a lot of money within a certain period, you can set a loss limit. For example, you can limit your losses to €5,000. Thus, you can enjoy depositing, playing and winning without problems, but when you get close to this limit the casino will send you alerts, and when you reach this limit you will not be able to resume playing. This limit is especially useful if you've won a lot of money and want to use it to play but don't want to lose everything you've earned.

Account Freeze

You may suspend your account for a period of your choosing. The period of Self exclusion gambling usually ranges from one month to one year. During the specified period, you cannot log in to continue playing.

Account Deletion

If you no longer wish to gamble at the casino, you can choose to self-exclude. Your account will then be permanently closed. Also, the casino will remove you from the marketing database and therefore you will not receive promotional emails. 

Conclusion

Self exclusion gambling can limit gambling harm. However, it is not are not effective in tackling gambling addiction alone. Players should take further steps, including talking to a professional support person, meditating, getting involved in support groups, fill in the gap the gambling has left by adopting new habits. When you decide for yourself to stop accessing regular casinos, you can cut off your cycle of habit. Thus, you will stop gambling and find another healthier habit to fill your free time.