Close your WinPlace account

Last updated: 15/06/2026

If you wish to close your WinPlace account, take a temporary break or self-exclude, this guide walks you through every option available to UK players. Each path is designed to give you the level of control that fits your situation, from a short pause through to a multi-year exclusion across the whole industry.

Before you close your account, withdraw any remaining balance and download any documents you may need later (deposit history, bonus history, gameplay statements). All of these are available in the account section. If you have an active bonus, completing or forfeiting it before closing avoids any delay.

Option 1: cooling-off period

A short cooling-off (24 hours, 7 days, 30 days or 6 weeks) lets you take a break without permanently closing your account. During this period you cannot log in, deposit or place any wager. Marketing emails are paused automatically.

Request a cooling-off from the responsible gambling section in your account, or by contacting customer support via the help page. The pause takes effect immediately and cannot be lifted early.

Choose this option if you simply want a breather, for example over a busy work period or a holiday. When the cooling-off ends, your account reopens with all settings intact.

Option 2: self-exclusion at WinPlace

Self-exclude from WinPlace for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. During this period you cannot deposit, wager, claim a promotion or reopen your account. Any marketing communication is stopped permanently.

Self-exclusion at WinPlace covers this site only. If you also use other UK gambling sites, register with GamStop for an industry-wide block (see option 3 below).

Self-exclusion cannot be reversed within the period you choose. When the period ends, the account stays blocked until you make an active request to reopen it, which is then subject to a 24 hour cooling-off and verification checks.

Option 3: self-exclusion via GamStop

GamStop is the UK national self-exclusion scheme. With one registration you block yourself from every UKGC-licensed online gambling operator, including WinPlace, for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. Registration is free and takes about five minutes at gamstop.co.uk.

Use GamStop if you want a complete break from all UK online gambling rather than a single site. The scheme is independent, audited and supported by every reputable operator in Great Britain.

Option 4: permanent account closure

Contact customer support to permanently close your account for any reason, not only related to gambling harm. Withdraw any remaining balance first. Re-opening a closed account is subject to identity verification and additional checks.

If you close an account for reasons related to gambling harm, the operator will treat the request as a self-exclusion under UKGC rules, even if you ask for a simple closure. This is to protect you from rapid re-opening at a vulnerable moment.

Setting limits as an alternative

If full closure feels too drastic, consider tightening your limits instead. Lower your weekly deposit cap, enable a 30 minute reality check or set a session time limit. These changes take effect immediately and let you keep playing safely.

See the responsible gambling page for a full list of player protection tools.

After closure

Your personal data is retained only as required by UK regulations, including anti-money laundering and tax rules. See our privacy policy for details on retention periods and your rights under UK GDPR.

For free, confidential support before, during or after closure, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit BeGambleAware.org.

Reopening an account after closure

A cooling-off period reopens automatically once it ends. A self-exclusion does not. You must contact customer support and confirm in writing that you wish to resume play. A mandatory 24 hour delay applies before any deposit can be made, and additional affordability checks may be required if it has been over a year since you last played.

If you self-excluded via GamStop, the block is lifted seven days after the end of your chosen period, again on an opt-in basis. There is no automatic return to play. This delay is intentional and gives you time to reflect before any account is reopened.

Blocking gambling at the bank and device level

Closing your account at one operator is only one layer of protection. UK banks including Monzo, Starling, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest and Santander all offer a gambling block inside their mobile apps. The block prevents card payments to any merchant categorised as gambling and applies a 24 to 48 hour cooling-off period before it can be lifted, which significantly reduces impulsive deposits.

At the device level, free tools such as Gamban and BetBlocker block thousands of gambling sites and apps across every browser on a phone, tablet or computer. Combined with GamStop and a bank block, you can build a layered safety net that is very difficult to defeat in a moment of stress.

Frequently asked questions

Can I withdraw my balance while self-excluded? Yes. Any remaining real-money balance is paid out to a verified payment method, normally within five working days. Bonus funds are forfeited as part of self-exclusion.

Will my account be deleted? No. Operators are required by UK law to retain certain account records for several years after closure, including transactions and identity documents. The account itself is permanently blocked, but the underlying data is held securely for the legal retention period.

Will closing my account affect my credit score? No. Gambling account activity is not reported to UK credit reference agencies, and closing a gambling account has no impact on your credit file.

Whatever path you choose, you are taking a positive step by reading this page. For ongoing support, visit our help page for the full directory of UK gambling support services.

What to expect during the closure process

Closure requests are handled by the player safety team rather than general support. The team will confirm receipt within one working day and apply the block immediately, even if the final paperwork takes a little longer to complete. Any pending bonuses are reviewed, with non-wagered bonus funds removed. Real-money balances are returned to a verified payment method, normally within five working days, sometimes faster for e-wallets.

You will receive a written confirmation by email summarising the type of closure, the start date and (where relevant) the end date. Keep this confirmation in case you ever need to reference it with a third party such as a bank, employer or treatment provider. The confirmation is also helpful if you decide later that you want to extend the block.

Closing accounts at other operators

Closing your WinPlace account only affects this site. If you also play at other UK casinos, sportsbooks or bingo sites, repeat the process at each one or use GamStop for an industry-wide block in a single step. Many players underestimate how many gambling accounts they have built up over the years; pulling a credit report or bank statement can be a useful way to identify any that you may have forgotten, alongside a quick search of your email inbox for welcome bonus offers and verification requests. Make a written list as you go so nothing slips through, and consider asking a partner or trusted friend to keep a copy for accountability.