Are you concerned that your online gambling habit could be turning into an addiction? You are not alone. Many people over-indulge in online gambling to the point of risking addiction. The effects can be far-reaching and devastating. Fortunately, there are various programs that Canadians can use to manage their betting problem. One of the most efficient ones are self-exclusion programs.
Self-exclusion programs are a standard offer across virtually every online casino Ontario platform. Unfortunately, many players who may benefit from this feature don’t understand how it works. Do you think that self-exclusion could help with your problem and are curious how it works? Read on to learn everything about how online casino exclusion programs work in Canada.
What is Self-Exclusion?
A self-exclusion program is essentially a request to an online casino asking it to restrict your access to its betting platform. The process involves signing an agreement stating that you wish to stop all gambling activities at the casino. The agreement also specifies how long you want the restriction to last. It usually ranges from a day to several months or years. However, some casinos also offer a permanent self-exclusion option.
Technically, self-exclusion entails going cold turkey. However, it is the last resort if alternative solutions like setting gambling limits fail.
How Self-Exclusion Works at Online Casinos in Canada
The process of self-exclusion varies slightly between different online casinos. This generalized step-by-step guide summarizes the process to give you an idea of what to expect:
- Open your online casino player account.
- Go to the “Responsible Gambling” page and select the self-exclusion option.
- Activate the feature and choose the length of time you want the restriction to last.
You’re not in the clear yet, as you must verify your identity for the self-exclusion to take effect. This entails confirming your profile details, such as your address. However, some operators may also ask for copies of your ID documents.
The operator will automatically lock you out of your account when the self-exclusion request goes through. Don’t bother creating a new account using your profile details, either. Operators use various techniques to prevent this, including the following:
- Tracking IP addresses
- Tracking cookies
- Monitoring account creation patterns
Moreover, some casinos go a step further to remove you from their marketing list. This is considerate, as exposure to gambling ads can be tempting.
How Reliable is Self-Exclusion?
Obviously, online casino exclusion programs are only reliable if you are genuinely willing to quit gambling. However, all factors considered, self-exclusion is the most reliable responsible gambling tool. Restricting all access to online casino platforms eliminates all possibility of gambling.
But what’s to stop you from simply registering at another online casino? Notably, you can activate the self-exclusion program for multiple online casinos to truly restrict your access to gambling platforms. Ultimately, you must be willing to play ball for self-exclusion to work.
What Happens after the Self-Exclusion Period Ends?
Has your self-restriction period ended? Are you still interested in online gambling? Fortunately or unfortunately, going back can be a bit complicated. You must undertake a detailed review to show that you can gamble responsibly. The requirements vary between different online casinos. Notably, some operators may ask for proof of counselling before reactivating your account.
Gamban: A Better Alternative to Casino Self-Exclusion Programs?
While it is tricky, there are ways to bypass self-restriction programs. Unfortunately, many gambling addicts just can’t help themselves. In that case, you may consider using Gamban.
Gamban is an online self-restriction program that limits access to all online casinos and betting platforms. It automatically detects and blocks all digital gambling platforms, including websites and apps. You don’t even need to activate the self-exclusion feature at your online casino.
Gamban is more effective than online casino exclusion programs for two reasons. First, it restricts access to all online gambling platforms. In contrast, self-exclusion programs don’t cover all betting platforms. Second, there are no ways to bypass the restriction, unless you uninstall the program from your device. However, like self-exclusion programs, Gamban’s efficiency also depends on your willingness to stop gambling.
Besides restricting access to online casinos, Gamban also tracks your progress. For example, it can tell you how long you have not gambled, how much money you have saved, and more. Moreover, it provides access to additional support resources, such as therapy.
The program is compatible with all devices and operating systems. To this end, you can install it on iOS, Android, mac, and Windows devices.
Conclusion
Online casino exclusion programs can be helpful in managing gambling addiction. They restrict all access to online casinos for various periods. However, they are not 100% fool-proof, and you must be willing to quit gambling for self-exclusion to work. You can do it. Good luck.
