Time Out From Gambling: Your Temporary Reset Button

Time Out (sometimes called a cooling-off period) is a temporary break from gambling that helps you step back and regain perspective without the long-term commitment to self-exclusion.

Key Highlights

• Blocks access to gambling accounts for short periods (24 hours to 6 weeks)
• Most effective when breaks last 60+ minutes (44.9% of players stop wagering)
• Allows continued play of active bets but prevents new deposits/wagers
• Proven to reduce impulsive gambling decisions and excessive spending
• Available with most reputable operators in regulated markets

What is a Time Out in Gambling?

Time out is a responsible gambling feature that temporarily restricts access to your gambling account for a predetermined period. Think of it as pressing a pause button on your gambling activities when you need a short break to clear your head, evaluate your decisions, or simply step away from the action for a while.

Unlike self-exclusion, which locks you out for months or years, time-out periods are shorter, ranging from 24 hours to 6 weeks. This makes them perfect for players who need a brief reset rather than a complete gambling halt.

How Time Out Works in Practice

When you activate a time-out:

1. Account Restriction: Your account becomes temporarily inaccessible for the period you select
2. Pending Bets: Any active bets continue and will be settled normally
3. Prevention Measures: You cannot place new bets, make deposits, or access gambling features
4. Completion: Once the period ends, your account access is automatically restored

Most operators allow you to select from preset durations like 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, or occasionally custom periods.

Effectiveness: What the Research Shows

Time Out features show measurable effectiveness in helping players maintain control, though results vary significantly based on duration and implementation:

Break Duration Effectiveness

Short Breaks (under 5 minutes)

• 89% of players resume gambling immediately after short breaks
• Minimal impact on spending or gambling behavior

Medium Breaks (15-30 minutes)

• 23% reduction in subsequent session duratios
• 18% decrease in average stake size

Extended Breaks (60+ minutes)

• 44.9% of players stop wagering completely after a one-hour break
• 41% cease depositing for the rest of the day
• 3.1x higher compliance compared to shorter breaks

A 2023 study published in the Journal of Gambling Studies reported that during a treatment period with 60-minute mandatory breaks, only 32% of high-volume players deposited more than ten times in one day, compared to 73% during the control period.

Innovative Implementation Approaches

Some financial institutions have developed their own versions of cooling-off periods:

Monzo's 12-Month Gambling Block:

• Blocked £9 million in gambling transactions in 2024
• 41% of users opted for the maximum 12-month cooling-off period
• Included a "Note to Future Self" feature, where users could leave messages to read if tempted to remove the block - reducing reactivation attempts by 27%

HSBC's 72-Hour Cooling-Off Period:

• Implements a mandatory 3-day waiting period before gambling blocks can be removed
• Helps prevent impulsive decisions to resume gambling

Implementation Across Markets

Here’s how time-outs are enforced in different regions:

Regulated Markets

In the UK, operators licensed by the Gambling Commission must offer Time Out features. William Hill, for example, offers periods ranging from 24 hours to 6 weeks for UK customers, with similar options available in other regulated European markets.

Norway has implemented particularly strong measures, with an ID-based system that enforces mandatory 15-minute breaks after 60 minutes of continuous play across 100% of licensed operators.

Less Regulated Markets

Outside of strong regulatory frameworks, according to research, the time out features exist but often with weaker implementation:

• Only 17% of operators in less regulated EU markets enforce breaks exceeding 30 minutes
• Unregulated markets show 71% non-compliance with advertised break policies

This inconsistency significantly reduces the tool's effectiveness, especially for players who need strong external controls.

Our Safety Tips for Effective Time Out Use

• Choose longer breaks: Research shows 60+ minute breaks are significantly more effective than shorter ones
• Use after big losses: Activate Time Out after experiencing substantial losses to prevent chasing behavior
• Combine with other tools: Time Out works more effectively when paired with deposit limits
• Weekend protection: Consider scheduling regular weekend Time Outs if you notice increased gambling during these periods
• Post-break reflection: Use your break time to review your gambling history and spending patterns

Closing Thoughts: When to Consider Using Time Out

Time out might be right for you if:

• You want to take a short break without the long-term commitment of self-exclusion
• You've noticed yourself making impulsive decisions while gambling
• You need time to cool off after a winning or losing streak
• Your gambling sessions are getting longer than planned
• You want to evaluate your gambling habits without quitting entirely