Gambling terms, explained straight

Responsible Gambling & Harm

Bingo self-exclusion

A voluntary responsible-gambling tool that lets a person request a formal block from bingo venues or sites for a chosen period.

Also called
self-exclusion; voluntary self-exclusion; multi-operator self-exclusion; in Sweden, Spelpaus ("gambling break").15
Typical period
Schemes offer not less than 6 nor more than 12 months, with an option for up to at least five years in remote arrangements.4
GB regulation
Social Responsibility Code Provision 3.5.6 requires non-remote bingo licence holders to offer self-exclusion schemes.2

Key points

  • The person takes positive action to register, and the operator must refuse service for the chosen period.1
  • Multi-operator schemes let one request cover multiple bingo venues or all licensed operators in the area.3
  • If the person tries to gamble during exclusion, the operator must take reasonable steps to stop them.1

Where this term is used

Responsible play Self-exclusion gambling Covers the general concept of self-exclusion across all gambling forms. Responsible play Gamcare self-exclusion Explains how GamCare supports self-exclusion through its helpline and tools. Responsible play Casino self-exclusion form Details the specific process and form used for casino self-exclusion. Responsible play Self-exclusion form for gambling A general guide to the forms used to initiate self-exclusion with operators. Responsible play Betting addiction Describes the nature of betting addiction and its impact on gamblers. Responsible play Addiction and gambling Explores the relationship between gambling and addictive behaviour.

Sources

  1. Self-exclusion gamblingcommission.gov.uk Defines self-exclusion and the operator's duty to block service.
  2. Guidance to licensing authorities - Self-exclusion gamblingcommission.gov.uk Provides guidance on self-exclusion requirements for bingo licence holders.
  3. Non-remote multi-operator self-exclusion gamblingcommission.gov.uk Details non-remote multi-operator self-exclusion rules.
  4. 3.5.4 Self-exclusion – Remote ordinary code - Gambling Commission gamblingcommission.gov.uk Specifies the minimum and maximum exclusion periods for remote gambling.
  5. Nationwide, Multioperator Self-Exclusion and Psychiatric ... pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Cites the Swedish Spelpaus system as an example.

Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.

Written and maintained by Ellis Warrender, writer and maintainer.

Last updated 28 July 2026. Spotted an error? Tell me and it gets fixed and logged on the corrections page.