A time out, sometimes called a cooling off period, blocks an account for a short, fixed spell, commonly from a day to six weeks. The player cannot deposit or play during it, and marketing messages usually stop. At the end the account reopens automatically, without any request. A time out suits a player who wants a break after a heavy week without closing anything, and it is normally set from the player protection area of the account.
An exclusion affects more than play. Open bonuses are forfeited, pending withdrawals are normally paid out, and loyalty points may be lost. Promotional emails and texts must stop, and a message that still arrives can be reported to the casino and to its licensing body. Winnings from any account opened in breach of an exclusion are usually void, which removes the incentive to get around it with a different email or someone else's details.
An exclusion works best alongside other support. A helpline or a support service offers free, confidential conversations, and many casinos link to one from the page where the exclusion is set. Telling a trusted person about the decision makes it easier to keep. When the urge to play returns, blocking software and a gambling block at the bank close the routes an exclusion leaves open, such as sites outside a national scheme.