Can I use a different website if I self-exclude here?

When you self-exclude with us, you're stopping yourself from playing on this specific BestCasinos account. If you feel you need to stop gambling across all sites, you should look into national or network-wide self-exclusion schemes available in your region. These block you from multiple operators at once.

What if I just want to stop for a day or two?

That sounds like a job for a 'time-out'. You can choose short breaks, like 24 hours or 7 days, directly from your account settings. Once the time is up, your account is automatically available again. It's a quick way to step back without a long-term commitment.

How quickly does my exclusion take effect?

As soon as you confirm your request, the restrictions are put in place. This usually happens within minutes. You won't be able to log in or place bets after confirmation.

What happens to the money in my account when I self-exclude?

If you have a positive balance when you self-exclude, we will hold onto it. We will usually contact you to arrange for this balance to be returned to you. Please refer to our General Terms and Conditions for full details on balance repatriation during an exclusion period.

Can I reopen my account before my self-exclusion period ends?

No, that's the key feature of self-exclusion. It cannot be ended early, even if you request it. The exclusion remains active for the full duration you selected. This is to ensure you get the break you decided you needed.

Do I need to do anything special to get my account back after a time-out?

For a time-out, once the period expires, your account is automatically reinstated and ready to use. For self-exclusion, you'll need to actively opt-in to reactivate your account after the exclusion period ends, and there might be an additional waiting period before you can play again.

What if I have forgotten my password and want to self-exclude?

If you're struggling to access your account to self-exclude, please contact our support team directly. They can assist you with password recovery if you are eligible, or help you initiate the self-exclusion process through them.

Featured

Taking a Break: Time-Outs and Self-Exclusion at BestCasinos

Learn how to pause your play, whether it's for a short breather or a longer commitment. We'll walk you through the steps and what to expect.

Understand the difference between a time-out and self-exclusion.
See exactly how to request each option.
Know what happens to your account during a break.

Time-Out vs. Self-Exclusion: What's the Difference?

It's easy to get these two mixed up, but they're quite different. A 'time-out' is like a short cooling-off period. You choose a set amount of time – maybe a few days or a week – and once that's up, your account is automatically ready to go again. It’s for when you just need a little distance. 'Self-exclusion', on the other hand, is a more serious step. This is for when you feel you need a longer break, or even want to stop playing for good. You can choose longer periods, like months or even years, and importantly, you cannot ask us to lift a self-exclusion early. It's a commitment to not playing for the full duration you select.

How to Request Your Break

Getting started with a break is designed to be straightforward. You can find the options in your account settings, usually under a 'Responsible Gambling' or 'Player Protection' section. Look for 'Time-Out' or 'Self-Exclusion' there. If you can't find it, or if you'd prefer to talk it through, our support team is ready to help. You can reach them via [link to contact page]. They'll guide you through the process and confirm the options available. For a time-out, you'll typically see options for short periods like 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days, or 14 days. For self-exclusion, the choices usually extend to longer periods like 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or even a permanent exclusion. The exact durations available will be clearly displayed when you make your request.

What Happens to Your Account?

Once your time-out or self-exclusion is active, we take immediate steps to help you stick to your decision. Your ability to log in and play will be blocked. This isn't just a suggestion; it's a technical restriction. You won't be able to access games or place any new bets. We'll also stop sending you marketing emails and SMS messages. You might still receive essential account notifications, but the promotional stuff will cease. If you have any open bonuses or active promotions when you exclude, these will typically be forfeited. Your remaining balance, if any, will be held. We'll contact you to arrange its return. Check our terms and conditions for the specifics on balance returns during exclusion periods.

No Turning Back Mid-Break

This is a crucial point: once you've set a time-out or self-exclusion, you can't change your mind and ask us to end it early. That's the whole point – to give you that guaranteed break. This applies even if you clear your cookies, try using a different browser, or even attempt to open a brand new account. Our system is designed to recognise you and keep the exclusion in place. When your chosen period is over, you won't automatically be able to play again. You'll need to actively log back in and opt-in to reactivate your account. There's often a further waiting period, sometimes 24 hours, before you can start playing again. This gives you another moment to be sure you're ready.

Considering Wider Exclusions

For some players, especially if they feel their gambling is causing significant harm, a national or network-wide self-exclusion scheme might be the stronger choice. These schemes, often run by regulatory bodies, allow you to block yourself from *all* participating operators in a specific region or country with a single request. This is a much more comprehensive way to ensure you're not tempted by other sites. If you're serious about taking a break across the board, looking into these schemes is a good idea. You can find more information on responsible gambling resources specific to your region.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a different website if I self-exclude here?: When you self-exclude with us, you're stopping yourself from playing on this specific BestCasinos account. If you feel you need to stop gambling across all sites, you should look into national or network-wide self-exclusion schemes available in your region. These block you from multiple operators at once.
What if I just want to stop for a day or two?: That sounds like a job for a 'time-out'. You can choose short breaks, like 24 hours or 7 days, directly from your account settings. Once the time is up, your account is automatically available again. It's a quick way to step back without a long-term commitment.
How quickly does my exclusion take effect?: As soon as you confirm your request, the restrictions are put in place. This usually happens within minutes. You won't be able to log in or place bets after confirmation.
What happens to the money in my account when I self-exclude?: If you have a positive balance when you self-exclude, we will hold onto it. We will usually contact you to arrange for this balance to be returned to you. Please refer to our General Terms and Conditions for full details on balance repatriation during an exclusion period.
Can I reopen my account before my self-exclusion period ends?: No, that's the key feature of self-exclusion. It cannot be ended early, even if you request it. The exclusion remains active for the full duration you selected. This is to ensure you get the break you decided you needed.
Do I need to do anything special to get my account back after a time-out?: For a time-out, once the period expires, your account is automatically reinstated and ready to use. For self-exclusion, you'll need to actively opt-in to reactivate your account after the exclusion period ends, and there might be an additional waiting period before you can play again.
What if I have forgotten my password and want to self-exclude?: If you're struggling to access your account to self-exclude, please contact our support team directly. They can assist you with password recovery if you are eligible, or help you initiate the self-exclusion process through them.

Need More Support?

If you're finding it hard to manage your gambling or need to talk to someone independently, there are organisations that can help. Remember, you're always welcome to take a break, and seeking support is a sign of strength. Please remember that gambling is for entertainment purposes only and is intended for persons aged 18 and over.

Gambling Support Resources