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Figured I'd write this up because people ask about it and there's a lot of confusion.

Self-exclusion is not the same as just closing your account. Closing an account, you can usually reopen next day. Self-exclusion is a binding block for a set period, and most of the regulated sites will not let you back in until it's over, no matter how nicely you ask support.

A few things worth knowing:

On the state-regulated apps (NJ, PA, MI etc) you can self-exclude per operator in the account settings, usually with options like 72 hours, 30 days, a year, or permanent. Some states also run a statewide program where you sign up once with the regulator and it covers every licensed operator in that state at the same time. That's the stronger version if you really need a wall.

Sweeps and social casinos have their own exclusion tools but they're per-platform, there's no central registry, so you'd have to do each one.

Offshore sites are the weak spot. They may offer a self-exclusion button but there's no regulator enforcing it, so honestly don't count on it holding.

Anyone been through the statewide program? Curious how long activation took and whether it really blocked everything.

Did the Michigan statewide one last year. Signed up through the state site, picked the duration, and it propagated to the licensed apps within a day or two. After that every regulated operator I tried just wouldn't let me deposit.

The gap nobody mentions: it only covers LICENSED operators. Offshore stuff isn't in the registry so it sailed right through. Which is its own argument for sticking to the regulated apps in the first place tbh.

Helpful writeup. In PA the per-operator option is buried a couple menus deep but it's there. I used a 30 day one after a rough stretch and support genuinely could not reverse it early, I asked, they said no. Which is exactly what you want even if it stings in the moment.

One tip, do it before you're in a hole, not during a tilt session. Clearer head, better choice.

on the sweeps side it's true there's no central list, you gotta close each one yourself. some let you set a cooldown, others just deactivate. boh, it's hit or miss.

also the national problem gambling helpline number is worth keeping handy, 1-800-522-4700, they can walk you through options in your state if the in-app stuff is confusing. not just a hotline, they do referrals too.

Pinning the gist of this. Just to be crystal clear for anyone skimming: self-exclusion is meant to be hard to undo, that's the feature, not a bug.

And Pete's right about offshore. If a site isn't answerable to a state regulator, the exclusion is basically a polite suggestion. There's no one to call to enforce it. Plan accordingly, and if you need the real wall, use the statewide program where your state offers one.