How Casino Self-Exclusion Is Handled Globally

Online gambling made betting and casino games incredibly accessible, which came at a cost. Specifically, social costs of gambling went up, as certain barriers that protected at-risk gamblers and financially vulnerable players were no longer there. Regulations made the hobby significantly safer, and self-exclusion was a mechanism that became widely adopted across multiple regulated markets.  

That said, many players found this safety mechanism too strict and were actively looking for ways to bypass it. For example, those who can’t access casinos in Australia look for online sites that accept players from this region. So long as they pick one of the best $10 dollar deposit bonus Australia operator, they have the means to play their favorite pokies on a low budget. That said, ignoring self-exclusion isn’t always wise; it’s there for a reason, and it gives positive results. Here we’ll tell you all about how it works and how countries around the world handle it. 

General Models 

Currently, there are 3 different types or sub-categories of self-exclusion:

• Operator level – A self-exclusion protocol that only works on a single site. It’s either a tool in the user dashboard or something that users need to request from customer support. Once it’s active, you cannot access the site for several months or until you request the self-exclusion to be lifted. During this time, you should also stop receiving 

promotional materials from that brand. This is the weakest form of self-exclusion.

• Multi-operator scheme – Certain companies own or manage dozens of gambling sites. So, this type of self-exclusion denies you access to all brands that the company manages. You do not receive promotional materials from the site where you signed up, as well as its sister sites. Alternatively, the multi-operator scheme might be conducted through an independent company that collaborates with multiple operators. It doesn’t work nationwide, it only applies to brands that are within that register. 
• National registers – In regions with stricter gambling regulations, there is usually a self-exclusion register that is active nationwide. Once you apply and enter your personal information, you won’t be able to access any regulated site or retail gambling operator within that jurisdiction. 

We will mainly focus on national registers that are readily available and explain how they work. 

Australia’s Framework

Back in August 2023, Australia introduced its own self-exclusion register called BetStop. It is a system that allows individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling platforms by registering their personal details. When someone registers on BetStop, they need to enter their name and other personal information in order to request exclusion. Then, whenever they try to gamble at an ACMA-licensed casino or sportsbook, the operator can screen their name against BetStop’s database and see whether they are allowed to take their money. 

The exclusion remains active for a set period of time. After that, users receive a notification that tells them when it will expire, and asks them if they want to extend it or not. It is possible to remove yourself from the register before the exclusion period is concluded. To do so, you will need a confirmation from a qualified counsellor/doctor, or psychologist. The confirmation states that you discussed this decision with a professional.

Europe’s Centralised Systems

Several EU countries that regulate online gambling also have centralised self-exclusion systems similar in structure to Australia’s. 

• Spelpaus (Sweden) – Launched in 2019, and since then, it has seen over 100,000 requests.
• DGOJ (Spain) – Applies to retail and online gambling as well as lottery. The ban can be lifted after 6 months have expired. 

• OASIS (Germany) – Allows gamblers to self-ban from gambling sites and offers counseling suggestions and recommendations on how to combat addictive behaviour. 
• NSEP (Cyprus) – A regulatory body in Cyprus that launched its own self-exclusion tool. 

Not all of these registers apply the same level of strictness, as some allow you to terminate your ban prematurely. The ones that are stricter (e.g., NSEP) don’t, and you must wait until your self-exclusion period expires before you can gamble again.

America’s Approach

The US is a very lucrative market for the gambling business. In 2024 American Gaming Association (AGA) received almost $500M in investments to bolster responsible gambling practices. In 2024, the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Programme was launched, and it allows US citizens to register and self-exclude. So far, they have received over 100k applicants, they are active in 6 states, and have more than 100 casinos in their register.  

However, it seems that this program isn’t mandatory, as each state can regulate gambling independently. So, not all operators and casinos are included in the register.  

Online and Offline Systems

Self-exclusion is easily enforced in regulated online casinos. The user needs to verify their account, and if, during this verification process, there is a match with the exclusion register, the account is suspended. In retail establishments, the operator needs to identify you, and they might not do this, since no one is on-premises to supervise them. 

They will likely request your ID before they payout your winnings, which could create a problem. So, it’s possible for them to suggest to you that someone else claims your winnings instead, because they shouldn’t have allowed you to bet in the first place.