Self-exclusion is a request to be blocked from gambling for a chosen period. While it runs, the operator must close or block your account, refuse new accounts in your name and stop sending you marketing.
You can self-exclude with a single operator through your account or customer support. To cover every GB-licensed online operator at once, use GAMSTOP, the free national scheme; online operators have had to take part since 31 March 2020. For land-based gambling there are multi-operator schemes too, such as SENSE for casinos and MOSES for betting shops.
Self-exclusion cannot be cancelled early. When it ends, an account does not reopen automatically; you have to ask. It works best alongside other support: the National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, is on 0808 8020 133, free and open 24 hours. See our GAMSTOP and safer gambling pages.