What is a cooling-off period at a casino?
A cooling-off period (also called a time-out or break) is a short-term pause on your gambling account that you voluntarily activate. Unlike self-exclusion, a cooling-off period is temporary — typically 1 day, 1 week, or 1 month — and is designed for players who want a structured break without committing to a long-term exclusion.
How to activate one
Go to the responsible gambling section of your casino account. Look for time-out, cooling-off, or account pause options. Select your desired duration and confirm. Most casinos implement these immediately. During the period, you cannot log in, deposit, or play. Your balance is preserved and accessible once the period ends.
Cooling-off vs self-exclusion
A cooling-off period is suitable for players who feel they need a short break but aren’t experiencing serious gambling harm. Self-exclusion is the stronger option for players concerned about problem gambling — it lasts 6 months to 5 years and includes enrollment in national schemes like GAMSTOP (UK) that cover all licensed operators simultaneously. If you’re unsure which applies, speaking to a gambling support line can help clarify.