Cool-off: what it means
A cool-off is a short, fixed break from gambling that you choose, during which your casino account is locked. In UK casino apps it's usually called a time-out, and online operators must offer breaks from 24 hours up to six weeks. The same word also describes the waiting periods built into limit increases and bank gambling blocks.
By the BestApps editorial team. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- A cool-off is a short break you choose; UK apps usually call it a time-out.
- Online operators must offer time-outs from 24 hours up to six weeks.
- Self-exclusion is the longer option; GAMSTOP runs for six months or more and can't be cancelled early.
- Banks use cool-offs too: turning off some gambling blocks only takes effect after a delay.
- Also called
- Time-out, cooling-off period, break
- UK time-out lengths
- 24 hours up to 6 weeks
- Rule
- LCCP social responsibility code 3.3.4
- Longer option
- Self-exclusion
- Limit increases
- Wait of at least 24 hours
Cool-off meaning in gambling
The idea is simple: you step away for a set time, and the account stays closed to gambling until that time has passed. It suits moments when you want a pause, perhaps after a heavy weekend or before payday, without the long commitment of self-exclusion.
Operators use different labels: cool-off, cooling-off period, time-out or take a break. Our casino app glossary files the formal UK tool under time-out, and this entry covers the wider uses of the phrase.
The UK cool-off rule for casino apps
Every online operator licensed in Great Britain must offer a time-out under LCCP code 3.3.4 on the remote time-out facility (opens in a new tab). The Commission's code requires break options of 24 hours, one week and one month, up to a maximum of six weeks.
Because it's an account-level tool, a cool-off taken in the app also covers the operator's website. It doesn't reach other operators, though. Whether a break can be shortened once started isn't something to assume, so read the operator's terms before you choose a length.
Cool-off vs self-exclusion
When six weeks isn't long enough, the next step is self-exclusion. The Commission's self-exclusion guidance (opens in a new tab) explains what businesses must do once you ask.
| Cool-off (time-out) | Self-exclusion with one operator | GAMSTOP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 24 hours up to 6 weeks | Longer; check the operator's options | 6 months, 1 year or 5 years |
| Covers | One operator's account | One operator | All GB-licensed online operators |
| End early? | Check the operator's terms | Check the operator's terms | Not possible |
| After it ends | Account reopens | Varies | Stays until you ask GAMSTOP to remove it |
Our guide to GAMSTOP self-exclusion explains how to register.
The cool-off on raising a limit
There's a second kind of cool-off built into money limits. Under the Commission's financial limits standard, lowering a deposit limit or loss limit applies straight away, but raising one needs at least 24 hours and your confirmation. That pause exists so a decision made mid-session has time to cool.
Cool-off periods on bank gambling blocks
Many UK banks let you block card payments to gambling merchants. The Commission's list of banks with gambling blocks (opens in a new tab) was last updated on 16 October 2026. Several add a cool-off to switching the block off, so an urge to gamble has to survive a wait first.
| Bank | Cool-off when turning the block off |
|---|---|
| Monzo | You choose a cooldown from 2 days to 1 year when turning it on, and must wait it out |
| HSBC | Gambling transactions still declined for 3 days |
| Lloyds | Block removed 48 hours after you turn it off |
| Starling | 48-hour delay before the block switches off |
Monzo says people who have spoken to its support team about gambling before must message support to turn the block off. Full details are on our bank gambling blocks page.
How to take a cool-off in a casino app
- Decide how long you want: 24 hours, a week, a month or up to six weeks.
- Open the app's account or safer gambling area and look for the time-out or break option.
- Choose the length and confirm.
- Turn off marketing and notifications so offers don't reach you during the break.
- Consider a bank block or a device blocker if you want extra distance.
The full walk-through is in taking a time-out in a casino app. For blockers, see Gamban, and for help with urges, notifications and gambling urges.
Terms related to cool-off
- Reality check: a timed reminder during play.
- Session limit: a cap on one session's length.
- GAMSTOP: the national online self-exclusion scheme.
- Gamban: a paid app that blocks gambling sites and apps.
If a break feels hard to keep, the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) is free and open 24/7. Our help and support page lists other options, including NHS gambling clinics.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What does cool-off mean on a casino app?
It means a short, fixed break from gambling that you choose, during which the account is locked. UK apps usually call it a time-out, and online operators must offer breaks from 24 hours up to six weeks. It's lighter than self-exclusion, which lasts months or years. Our guide to taking a time-out explains when each one fits.
How long is a cool-off period in UK casino apps?
The Commission's time-out code requires options of 24 hours, one week and one month, up to a maximum of six weeks. If you need longer than that, you move into self-exclusion, which starts at six months with GAMSTOP. Some operators may phrase their options a little differently, so check the app. The formal term is explained under time-out.
Can I cancel a cool-off early?
Don't count on it. The point of a cool-off is that it holds for the time you chose, and operators set their own terms on ending one early, so read them before you start. If you want a break that definitely can't be undone, GAMSTOP self-exclusion can't be cancelled during its period. Our self-exclusion guide explains the options.
Is a cool-off the same as self-exclusion?
No. A cool-off is short, from 24 hours up to six weeks, and usually covers one operator. Self-exclusion runs for longer and is designed to be firmer; GAMSTOP periods start at six months and cover every GB-licensed online operator at once. Choose a cool-off for a pause and self-exclusion when you want to stop. See GAMSTOP for the national scheme.
Does a cool-off in the app stop me using the website?
Yes, for the same operator. A time-out applies to your account, so it covers the app and the website together. It won't stop you opening an account elsewhere, which is why some people add a bank gambling block or a blocking app during a break. Our page on blocking gambling apps on Android covers phone-level options.
Why does my bank make me wait to remove a gambling block?
The wait is a cool-off designed to give an urge time to pass. Monzo lets you choose a cooldown of 2 days to 1 year, while Lloyds and Starling use 48 hours and HSBC keeps declining gambling transactions for 3 days. The delay is part of what makes the block useful. Compare banks on our bank gambling blocks page.