How do I take a break from a casino app?
How do I take a break from a casino app? Use the time-out or take-a-break tool in the app's safer gambling settings: UK operators must offer breaks of 24 hours, one week, one month, or another period you ask for up to six weeks. For anything longer, self-exclude with that operator or register with GAMSTOP to block every online casino licensed in Great Britain.
By the BestApps editorial team. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- A time-out pauses your account for 24 hours, a week, a month or up to 6 weeks.
- Self-exclusion is for longer breaks of months or years.
- GAMSTOP covers every online gambling company licensed in Great Britain for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years, and can't be cancelled early.
- Phone tools such as Digital Wellbeing timers and blocking apps add a barrier on the device itself.
- Deleting the app is not a break: the account stays open.
- Time-out lengths
- 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month, up to 6 weeks
- GAMSTOP periods
- 6 months, 1 year, 5 years
- GAMSTOP early cancellation
- Not possible
- Marketing after self-exclusion
- Must stop within two days
- Free helpline
- 0808 8020 133, 24/7
Ways to take a break from a casino app, from shortest to longest
The right kind of break depends on how long you want it to last and whether it should cover one app or all of them. Here's the full range, so you can pick the one that matches what you need.
| Option | How long | What it covers | Can you end it early? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reality check | Reminder only | One account | Yes, it's just a prompt |
| Time-out | 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month or up to 6 weeks | One operator | Check the app's terms |
| Self-exclusion with the operator | Months or longer | One operator | Normally no |
| GAMSTOP | 6 months, 1 year or 5 years | All online gambling licensed in Great Britain | No |
| Phone app timers | A daily allowance | Chosen apps on that phone | Yes, in settings |
| Blocking software | As long as it's installed | Gambling sites and apps on your devices | Depends on the tool |
If you only want help keeping sessions short, see what a reality check is instead. Other everyday answers are in our casino app questions hub.
How to take a time-out in a casino app
Under the Gambling Commission's remote time-out code (LCCP 3.3.4) (opens in a new tab), online operators must offer time-outs of 24 hours, one week and one month, plus any other period you reasonably ask for up to six weeks. Apps label it differently: time-out, take a break or cool-off.
- Log in and open your account or profile menu.
- Find the safer gambling, responsible gambling or limits section.
- Choose the time-out or take-a-break option.
- Pick a length. If none fits, ask support for a different period up to six weeks.
- Read the confirmation screen so you know when the break ends, then confirm.
- Switch off the app's notifications or move it off your home screen for the duration.
The code doesn't say whether you can end a time-out early, so check the app's terms before you start. Our guide to taking a time-out in a casino app goes into more detail, and the time-outs page covers when a short break helps most.
Break tools named by Coral, Ladbrokes, PlayOJO, Casumo and 10bet
All licensed apps must offer time-outs and take part in GAMSTOP. Some also name their tools in their store listing or help pages.
- PlayOJO's store listing mentions Safe Mate, Take A Break and Deposit Limits, and its help pages mention OJO Safeguard and self-exclusion. See PlayOJO's safer gambling tools.
- 10bet's listing says deposit limits, breaks and self-exclusion sit in account settings. See 10bet's safer gambling tools.
- Coral's listing mentions safer gambling tools without naming them. See Coral's safer gambling tools.
- Ladbrokes and Casumo don't list specific tools in their store descriptions; look in account settings or ask support.
Coral and Ladbrokes share an operator, LC International Limited, but treat each account as separate. If you use both, set the break in each, or use GAMSTOP to cover them together.
Longer breaks: self-exclusion from a casino app
If a few weeks won't be enough, self-exclusion is the next step. You ask the operator to close or block your account for a longer period. When you do, the Commission's rules say the operator must refuse you service, close the account and return your funds, take you off marketing within two days, and point you to support.
Self-exclusion with one operator covers only that brand. The Commission's self-exclusion page (opens in a new tab) explains what to expect, and our guide to self-exclusion from casino apps shows how to request it.
Taking a break from every casino app with GAMSTOP
GAMSTOP is the free national online self-exclusion scheme, and every online operator licensed in Great Britain has had to take part since 31 March 2020. One registration blocks you from all of them, apps included.
- Go to the GAMSTOP registration page (opens in a new tab) on any device.
- Enter the personal details GAMSTOP asks for, making sure they match your gambling accounts.
- Choose 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. You can also choose 5 years with auto-renewal.
- Confirm. Operators then refuse service to matching accounts.
Two things to know before you choose a length. The exclusion can't be cancelled early, and when it ends it stays in place until you ask GAMSTOP to remove it. See our page on GAMSTOP self-exclusion and does GAMSTOP block casino apps.
Using your phone to take a break from casino apps
Account tools stop you gambling; phone tools make the app harder to open in the first place. They work well together.
| Tool | What it does | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Wellbeing app timer | When your daily allowance runs out, the app closes and its icon dims; timers reset at midnight | Android |
| Focus mode | Pauses chosen apps and their notifications | Android |
| Screen Time restrictions | Can block installing apps through Content & Privacy Restrictions | iPhone and iPad |
| Gamban | Paid blocking app for gambling sites and apps; one licence covers several devices; free trial | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
Google's Digital Wellbeing help page (opens in a new tab) shows how to set an app timer. For step-by-step guides, see blocking casino apps with Digital Wellbeing, blocking casino apps with Screen Time and the Gamban gambling blocker.
Is deleting the app the same as taking a break?
No. Removing the app from your phone doesn't touch your account, so you can reinstall it or log in on a browser in seconds. Your balance and marketing choices stay as they were.
Deleting it can still help as part of a break, because it removes the icon and the notifications. Pair it with a time-out or self-exclusion so the account itself is closed off. If there's money in the account, read what happens to your balance if you delete the app first, or see how to close a casino account.
Getting through a break from casino apps
The first few days are often the hardest, especially at the times of day you'd usually play. Planning something else for those moments helps, and so does telling someone you trust. Our page on phone habits and gambling has practical ideas.
- Add a bank gambling block so payments to gambling sites are refused.
- Set a deposit limit ready for when the break ends, if you plan to return.
- Unsubscribe from gambling emails and texts so offers don't reach you.
Free support while you take a break
Wanting a break is a sensible decision, and you don't have to manage it alone. The National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, is free, confidential and open 24/7 on 0808 8020 133. You can also talk to GamCare online (opens in a new tab) by live chat.
NHS gambling clinics take self-referrals in England, and Gamblers Anonymous runs peer support meetings. If you're worried about someone else, see affected by someone else's gambling. The help and support page brings all the options together.
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
How long can a casino app time-out last?
Up to six weeks. UK operators must offer time-outs of 24 hours, one week and one month, plus any other period you reasonably ask for up to a maximum of six weeks. If you need longer than that, self-exclusion is the tool designed for it, either with one operator or through GAMSTOP for all of them. See the definition of a time-out and our page on taking a time-out.
What's the difference between a time-out and self-exclusion?
A time-out is a short pause of up to six weeks; self-exclusion is a longer block of months or years. During self-exclusion the operator must close your account, return your funds and remove you from marketing within two days. Self-exclusion is meant for people who want a firm, longer break. Our explainers on self-exclusion and cool-off set out the terms in more detail.
Can I cancel a break from a casino app early?
It depends on the tool. The UK time-out rule doesn't say whether a time-out can be ended early, so check the app's terms before you start one. GAMSTOP can't be cancelled during the exclusion period, and it stays in place after it ends until you ask for removal. Operator self-exclusions are normally fixed too. Read self-exclusion from casino apps and GAMSTOP self-exclusion before choosing.
Does a break from one casino app stop me using others?
No, a time-out or self-exclusion with one operator only covers that brand. Coral and Ladbrokes, for example, share an operator but are separate accounts. To take a break from every online casino licensed in Great Britain at once, register with GAMSTOP, and consider a bank block or blocking app as well. See how to self-exclude from all casino apps and what Gamban is.
Can I block casino apps on my phone during a break?
Yes. On Android, Digital Wellbeing app timers close an app once its daily allowance is used, and Focus mode pauses chosen apps. On iPhone, Screen Time's Content & Privacy Restrictions can block installing apps. Gamban, a paid blocking app with a free trial, blocks gambling sites and apps across several devices. See block gambling apps on iPhone and block gambling apps on Android.
What happens to my money when I take a break?
That depends on the type of break. When you self-exclude, UK rules require the operator to close the account and return your funds. For a time-out, the rules don't specify, so it's sensible to withdraw your balance before you start. Remember that operators can't let you cancel a withdrawal once you've requested it. Our page on what happens to your balance if you delete the app covers a related situation.
Will I still get casino offers during a break?
After self-exclusion, operators must take you off marketing within two days, and GAMSTOP extends that to every online operator licensed in Great Britain. For a short time-out, unsubscribe from marketing emails and texts as well, and switch off the app's notifications, so nothing tempts you back early. Our page on notifications and gambling urges has tips, and reality checks can help once you return.
Who can I talk to if I'm finding it hard to stay away from casino apps?
Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. It's run by GamCare, free, confidential and open 24/7, with live chat too. NHS gambling clinics in England accept self-referrals, and Gamblers Anonymous offers peer support meetings. You don't need to be in crisis to get in touch. See NHS gambling clinics and what to do if you're worried about your gambling.