Key takeaways
- Self-exclusion is a binding request to be blocked from gambling, typically for a minimum period (often 6 months to a year) that you cannot reverse early, even if you change your mind.
- Every licensed casino we review must offer an account-level self-exclusion option as a condition of recommendation.
- New Zealand also has broader self-exclusion programmes through venue operators and support services, separate from any single casino's own tools.
- Self-exclusion is designed to be difficult to reverse quickly, specifically so it works during moments of urge rather than only in hindsight.
What self-exclusion actually means
Self-exclusion goes further than a deposit or loss limit — instead of capping how much you can spend, it blocks you from accessing the account (or venue, or platform) entirely for a defined period. Crucially, self-exclusion is designed to be difficult to reverse on a whim: once enrolled, most operators and programmes won't let you cancel the exclusion early even if you ask, because the entire point of the tool is to remove the decision from a moment when your judgement might be compromised. This is a deliberate design choice across the industry, not a bureaucratic inconvenience.
Self-excluding at an individual casino
Locate the Responsible Gambling section
Usually in account settings, alongside deposit and loss limit tools.
Choose your exclusion period
Options typically range from 6 months to 5 years, or permanent/indefinite exclusion.
Confirm — your account is then locked
You won't be able to log in, deposit, or receive marketing emails for the chosen period.
Any remaining balance is typically paid out separately
Contact support directly to arrange withdrawal of funds already in your account at the time of exclusion.
Every casino we review — Spin Casino, All Slots, JackpotCity, Lucky Nugget, Crocoslots, Oshi, Bitkingz, Kiwi's Treasure and Spirit Casino — supports account-level self-exclusion as a baseline requirement before we'll recommend it at all.
Wider New Zealand self-exclusion options
Because online casinos serving NZ players are licensed offshore rather than through a New Zealand regulator, there isn't currently a single centralised online self-exclusion register covering every offshore operator the way some domestic land-based programmes work in New Zealand for venues and the TAB. This makes casino-level self-exclusion, applied individually to each operator you've used, the most direct tool available to you right now. The Gambling Helpline Aotearoa New Zealand (0800 654 655) can also talk you through additional support options and, in some cases, help coordinate broader exclusion steps.
What happens once you're enrolled
Once self-excluded, you should expect the casino to stop all marketing communication to you (email, SMS, push notifications), block login attempts, and decline any new account you attempt to open with matching identity details during the exclusion period — reputable operators cross-check new signups against their excluded-player list. If you're still receiving marketing messages after self-excluding, that's worth raising directly and firmly with the operator, and reporting to the Gambling Helpline if it continues.
Support doesn't stop at the lockout
Self-exclusion blocks access, but it doesn't address whatever led to wanting that block in the first place — pairing it with actual support (a counsellor, the Gambling Helpline, or a trusted person you've told) tends to lead to a more durable outcome than the account lock alone. Many players self-exclude more than once before a longer-term change sticks, and that isn't a failure; treating each exclusion as a genuine reset point, with real support alongside it, is a reasonable and common path.
Frequently asked questions
Responsible gambling
If you're considering self-exclusion, that instinct is worth taking seriously and acting on rather than talking yourself out of. Free, confidential support is available 24/7 through the Gambling Helpline Aotearoa New Zealand on 0800 654 655.