Gambling time-out: take a short break from betting

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ByLucas Portela
Published:
Quick Answer

A gambling time-out is a short break you set with one operator, usually from a day up to several weeks. Your account is locked until it ends. It is different from self-exclusion, which is longer, and from GAMSTOP, which covers every licensed site.

A gambling time-out is a short, fixed break that you set with an operator when you want to cool off. It is the lightest of the self-control tools, and it is easy to switch on.

How to set a gambling time-out

  1. Open the safer gambling or responsible gambling section of your account.
  2. Choose time-out and select the length offered.
  3. Confirm the choice, which usually takes effect straight away.
  4. Your account stays locked until the time-out ends.

Lengths vary by operator, but they usually run from a day up to several weeks. Pick a length that is long enough for the urge to pass, because a very short break only invites a quick return.

Time-out compared with self-exclusion

A time-out is a short break with one operator, for example a day or a week. Operator self-exclusion is a longer ban on one site, and GAMSTOP is a block across every licensed site for months or years. Because a time-out covers one operator only, other sites stay open unless you also use GAMSTOP, so it does not protect you elsewhere. Treat a time-out as final once it starts, since the lock is the whole point and it usually cannot be ended early.

Make your gambling time-out work

Turn off marketing in your communication settings so that offers do not pull you back, and add a deposit limit for the day you return. If you keep coming back to gamble, or you are trying to win back losses, a longer tool and some support will do more than repeated short breaks. Consider GAMSTOP and the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I end a time-out early?

Usually not, because the lock is the whole point. Check the terms when you set it, and treat the time-out as final once it starts.

Can I use other betting sites during a time-out?

A time-out covers one operator only, so other sites stay open unless you use GAMSTOP. A time-out does not protect you elsewhere, so decide about wider protection in advance.

Is a time-out enough if I think I have a problem?

It is a good first step, but consider longer protection such as GAMSTOP and ask for support as well. If you are worried, speaking to someone is more useful than waiting.