Self-exclusion and limits: the tools that put you back in control
Every regulated online casino offers tools to limit or stop gambling. They range from a gentle reminder of how long you have played to a complete exclusion that blocks access for months or permanently. This page explains each tool, how they usually work at an operator such as Posido and how national self-exclusion registers, where they exist, extend protection across many sites at once. Using these tools is not an admission of failure; it is the same kind of planning as setting a budget.
The tools, from lightest to strongest
| Tool | What it does | Typical behaviour |
|---|---|---|
| Reality check | Shows time played and money spent at intervals | Pop-up during play |
| Session limit | Ends or flags a session after a set time | Applies to the account |
| Deposit limit | Caps deposits per day, week or month | Decreases apply at once; increases after a delay |
| Loss or wager limit | Caps net losses or total stakes | Where offered |
| Cooling-off | Suspends the account for a short period | Cannot be undone early |
| Self-exclusion with the operator | Closes access for a longer period | Usually months or permanent |
| National self-exclusion register | Blocks access at all licensed operators in a country | Run by the regulator, where it exists |
Deposit limits: the most effective everyday tool
A deposit limit works before money reaches your balance, which makes it more reliable than a decision taken during play. Choose a figure you could lose without affecting bills or savings. In many regulated markets operators must offer daily, weekly and monthly limits, and an increase only takes effect after a waiting period — a cooling delay that protects you from raising the limit in the heat of a session.
Cooling-off and operator self-exclusion
A cooling-off period is a short, fixed break: the account is suspended and cannot be reopened until it ends. Self-exclusion with the operator is longer and is meant for people who want to stop. During an exclusion, the operator should block log-in, refuse deposits and stop all marketing. Ask for written confirmation of the start and end date, and do not open a new account during the period.
National registers
Some countries run a central self-exclusion register through the gambling regulator. Registering once excludes you from all licensed operators in that country, usually for a minimum period or indefinitely. Revoking it early, where allowed, typically only takes effect after a delay. To find out whether such a register exists where you live, look at your national regulator's website. A register only covers licensed operators, which is one more reason to play, if at all, only on sites that appear in the regulator's list.
Making an exclusion work
- Combine it with a bank gambling block, if your bank offers one.
- Install a gambling-site filter on your phone and computer.
- Unsubscribe from casino e-mails and messages.
- Tell someone you trust, so you are not alone with the decision.
- Contact a helpline if urges are strong — see the responsible gambling page.
If an operator does not respect an exclusion
If you are able to deposit or receive offers during an active exclusion, record it and raise it as a complaint; responsible gaming obligations are part of licence conditions. The complaints guide explains the route. For limits linked to payments, see the deposit guide.