Self-exclusion, limits and breaks
There are several levels of control, from a gentle limit to a complete block across all operators. They are not interchangeable, and choosing the right one depends on what you want to achieve. This page also covers a question that promotion-focused players ask: what happens to bonuses, tournament entries and loyalty points when you take a break.
Four levels
| Tool | What it does | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps how much you can deposit per day, week or month | You, in the casino account |
| Time-out | Blocks the account for a short period | You, in the account or via support |
| Account self-exclusion | Closes the account at one operator for a longer period | You, via the operator |
| EMTA restrictions register | Restricts participation in gambling for 6–36 months, land-based and online | You, via e-MTA |
EMTA's gambling restrictions register
If you want a barrier that does not depend on a single casino, the Estonian Tax and Customs Board's register is the strongest option available to residents. The application is made through the e-MTA portal; the restriction lasts from 6 to 36 months and covers both land-based and online gambling. See EMTA's instructions.
What happens to promotions during a break
- Active bonuses are usually forfeited or frozen under the operator's terms. Treat them as lost — protecting yourself is worth more.
- Tournament entries in progress normally cannot be completed.
- Loyalty points and tiers may expire through inactivity. Many programmes reduce tiers after a quiet period. This is exactly the kind of pressure to ignore: a status is not a reason to come back.
- Marketing should stop. If promotional messages keep arriving during a self-exclusion, contact the operator and keep the evidence.
Withdrawing your balance
Before or when you exclude yourself, ask the operator how to withdraw any remaining real-money balance. Verification rules still apply.
Limits that actually work
A limit works best when it is set on a calm day, below what you think you "need", and when raising it has a waiting period. Lowering a limit usually applies immediately. If you catch yourself raising limits to finish a tournament or reach a tier, that is a sign to move one level up the table above.
Support
Counselling in Estonia: Hasartmängusõltuvuse Nõustamiskeskus, 15410, 15410.ee, info@15410.ee. Outside Estonia, Gambling Therapy offers free online support in many languages.
Read next: Responsible gambling · What happens to loyalty tiers · Support