Self-exclusion: stopping in a way that survives a bad day
Self-exclusion is the strongest responsible gambling tool: it closes access to gambling for a set period, with no way to reopen it on impulse. There are usually two layers — a national register where one exists, and self-exclusion requested from each operator — and it matters to understand what each covers.
National registers
In countries with a national scheme, one request excludes you from every operator licensed there. Portugal's SRIJ register is an example: since 8 April 2026 there is a new self-exclusion form, the register applies to all licensed operators at once, for a minimum of 3 months or indefinitely, and early revocation only takes effect one month after it is requested, never before the 3-month minimum. The delay is deliberate: it keeps the decision to return from being made on impulse.
Operator self-exclusion
A national register does not cover operators without a licence in that country. If you play on a platform licensed elsewhere, also request self-exclusion directly from the operator, in the account area or through support. Ask for written confirmation with start and end dates, and ask for any remaining balance to be withdrawn before closure.
Cooling-off period
If you do not want a long exclusion, a cooling-off period is a short pause — days or weeks — during which the account is inaccessible. It breaks a run of sessions without a permanent decision.
Deposit and loss limits
Before reaching self-exclusion, deposit and loss limits may be enough. As a rule, lowering a limit takes effect immediately and raising it comes with a waiting period — precisely to protect you from decisions made in the heat of the moment.
Brakes outside the casino
Some banks let you block card payments to gambling merchants. There are also apps that block gambling sites on phones and computers. Combined with self-exclusion, they make it much harder to return in a weak moment.
Balance and withdrawals during exclusion
Before activating an exclusion, withdraw your available balance. If a withdrawal is pending, confirm with the operator that it will be processed during the exclusion. An active bonus may be lost when the account closes.