Self-exclusion, limits and breaks
Taking a break from gambling is one of the most effective things a player can do, but it only works if the break actually holds. This page explains the tools that usually exist at operator level, how national schemes in some countries differ, and the practical steps that make a pause last.
Tools at operator level
Most online operators offer some combination of the following tools in the account settings, although the names and options vary:
- Deposit limits per day, week or month. Lowering a limit usually applies at once, while raising it often takes effect only after a delay.
- Session reminders or time limits that show how long you have been playing.
- Cooling-off or time-out for a short period, from a day to several weeks.
- Self-exclusion for a longer period, often six months or more, or indefinitely.
We do not know exactly which of these Urho offers or how they are configured. Look for them in the account settings, and if you cannot find them, ask customer service in writing for an exclusion and keep the reply that confirms it.
National schemes
Some countries run a central self-exclusion register: one request blocks the player at every operator licensed in that country. Where such a scheme exists, it is usually the strongest tool available. It normally covers only locally licensed operators, though, and does not automatically reach companies licensed elsewhere. Your national gambling regulator's website will tell you whether a scheme exists where you live and how to join it.
How to make a break stick
- Close every account you use. Excluding yourself from one site does not help if another is still open.
- Remove saved payment details from gambling sites and from your browser.
- Unsubscribe from newsletters and marketing messages so that offers stop landing in your inbox.
- Tell someone you trust about your decision, so they can support you when the urge comes back.
- Ask your bank whether card payments to gambling sites can be restricted on your account.
A pause without full exclusion
Not everyone needs a long exclusion straight away. A shorter break can help you interrupt a pattern or see clearly how much money has gone. Set a small deposit limit, take one or two weeks without gambling, and note where the money and time went instead. If the break feels unexpectedly hard, that is useful information too.
Support for the decision
Gambling Therapy offers free online chat, forums and groups in many languages, and its advisers can help you plan a break. Gamblers Anonymous runs regular mutual-help meetings in many countries. More ideas for limits and warning signs are on the page responsible gambling, and contact routes for account problems are on the support page.