This guide outlines ways to use self-exclusion to limit your online playing temporarily, or as a treatment for gambling addiction.
Sometimes you might need to limit your online playing because you are saving up for something else, or finding it is taking up too much time when you have an important project to complete. Or sometimes you need to stop for a while to prevent or as treatment for gambling addiction.
If you are worried about your gambling sessions and you want to limit or put an end to them, here are the best ways to do it, such as blocking services, self-exclusion programs, and transaction restrictions via your bank. These are the main options that work well and can help you when you need help to stop playing temporarily or as treatment for gambling addiction. You will have to pick the one you like the most and the one that works for you the best.
Options to stop playing temporarily or as treatment for gambling addiction
Let’s see all the main options you have at your disposal right now.
Use Blocking Software
This is basically software or an app you will have to download and install. Once you customize it, all gambling activities will become unavailable or better said, impossible. This software will block your access to gambling sites hence you won’t be able to gamble. It is an appealing method that some players prefer. You also have a few options. Most of these work in a similar way. Anyway, let’s see a few software options you may use.
BetBlocker
BetBlocker is a very popular software for this purpose. You can use it on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and even Linux. Once you install the software you can choose self-exclusion. This means that over 4200 gambling sites will be blocked immediately. There is also a parental control mode that can help your child. Once you have activated the mode you chose, there is no way to cancel or avoid it. You won’t be able to gamble for a time you have selected. The issue here is that you can gamble at sites that are not blocked.
Gamban
Gamban is the most popular software of the kind. You will still have to purchase the plan you like, download and install it. You will choose the duration of the ban and you can start using it. It will limit your access to countless gambling, betting sites, and apps that use gambling. All we can say is that this software is great and works perfectly. It runs on all devices and all operating systems you can think of. The only issue is that you can gamble from another device using different credentials.
Use Self-Exclusion Services
This is a similar option as the one above but not the same. The best example is GamStop. This is not software. You will have to create an account at GamStop and choose the duration of self-exclusion. You can choose a month, 6 months or 5 years. Once done, you will activate it, and you are done. All casinos, betting sites and more that are part of the organization will become unavailable to you.
There will be still a few online casinos outside the GamStop exclusion, but it is not easy to find them. If you had an account there, you won’t be able to log in. Once the self-exclusion expires, you will have to contact customer support, wait 24 hours and you will be able to gamble once again.
GamStop works in the United Kingdom and it is very successful. Almost all users have reported success with the program and some even say that they would like to use it indefinitely. This is not possible at the moment. However, you can prolong the self-exclusion once it expires.
GamStop is completely free and you can start using it at any given moment. Once the self-exclusion is active, there is no way to bypass or reverse GamStop self-exclusion before the period ends. So, if you choose 5 years long self-exclusion, it means that no matter what you do, gambling at GamStop sites won’t be possible for those 5 years. Another thing here is the fact there are no hidden fees or anything like that. Many players got real help from GamStop and they love the platform. You can use it now and you will see how effective it is.
Keep in mind that GamStop works only with sites that are part of the organization. This means that all UKGC licensed sites must use GamStop. But, others that have licenses from Curacao or don’t have any licenses don’t have and cannot use GamStop. At the moment this platform is trying to add more sites and more options to the list.
Ask Your Bank To Block Gambling Transactions
This is a simple and rarer option but some players like to use it. You can call your bank and ask them to limit your transactions when they are directed to gambling sites. You can instruct them to limit one, multiple, or all transactions of this kind to all sites.
The method is simple and free but in some cases, you will have to instruct your bank not to allow transactions to multiple gambling sites. This can be time-consuming and can be annoying, but managing personal finances is extremely important. It is also a useful method if your spouse or family member has this problem so you want to limit his gambling activity. Of course, this works in specific cases.
In addition, you can also use the same process at casinos. You can contact customer support and ask them to limit your account. But, you will have to do this at all casinos and betting sites where you play.
The Final Word
These days you do have a lot of options to distance yourself from gambling. It is a common thing that some players want to do this and some will do it using multiple options and methods. If you are one of those players, make sure to try and use a method that works best for you. There is no need to use multiple options unless you are special about one and want the ultimate help either to stop playing temporarily or as treatment for gambling addiction.
