GambleGuardSelf-exclusion programs explained: how to ban yourself from gambling
Self-exclusion is a formal request asking licensed gambling operators to refuse your business for a set period, often one year, five years, or life. In the US you sign up through your state’s gaming regulator; in the UK, GAMSTOP covers licensed online operators. It doesn’t cover offshore or unlicensed sites, so pair it with a blocker such as GambleGuard.
What self-exclusion is
Self-exclusion is a commitment you make in advance, at a calm moment, that holds you to your decision during a weak one. Once you are enrolled, licensed operators covered by the program must refuse to let you gamble, close your accounts, and stop sending you marketing.
How it works in the US
Gambling is regulated state by state, so self-exclusion is too. Most states with legal casinos or sports betting run a program through their gaming regulator or lottery commission. Many let you sign up online, while some require an in-person visit or identity check. Typical lengths are one year, five years, or lifetime, and some programs can’t be cancelled early.
Because programs differ, search for your state’s gaming control board and “self-exclusion,” or ask the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-MY-RESET) to point you to the right one.
Outside the US
- United Kingdom: GAMSTOP lets you exclude from every licensed online gambling operator at once, for free.
- Canada: provinces run their own programs through their lottery and gaming corporations.
- Australia: BetStop, the national register, covers licensed online and phone wagering.
What self-exclusion doesn’t cover
Self-exclusion only binds operators licensed where you signed up. It doesn’t stop offshore casinos, crypto gambling sites, or CS2 and Rust skin-gambling sites, which often have weak or no age and identity checks. That gap is where blockers matter.
Combine it with blocking
- Self-exclude through your state or national program.
- Install GambleGuard to block gambling websites in Chrome, including offshore and crypto sites.
- Add a device-wide blocker for your phone.
- Ask your bank to block gambling transactions.
Our guide on how to block gambling sites covers each layer step by step.
Common questions
Can I cancel self-exclusion early?
Often not. Many programs lock you in for the full period you chose, which is the point: it protects your decision during an urge. Check the rules of your specific program before you sign up.
Does self-exclusion block offshore gambling sites?
No. It only applies to operators licensed where you enrolled. Use a blocker such as GambleGuard and a bank gambling block to cover offshore, crypto and skin-gambling sites.