Self-Exclusion Procedure


  1. Introduction

    Your Lottery must comply with the Gambling Commission's Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (the 'LCCP').

    The LCCP includes the following requirement which applies to Your Lottery:
    "Licensees must have and put into effect procedures for self-exclusion and take all reasonable steps to refuse service or to otherwise prevent an individual who has entered a self-exclusion agreement from participating in gambling".

    This Policy should be read alongside Your Lottery Problem Gambling and Social Responsibility Policy.

    Your Lottery will take all reasonable steps to prevent an individual who has entered into a self-exclusion agreement with us from participating in our lottery.
     
  2. What is Self-Exclusion?

    Self-exclusion is a facility for those that have decided that they wish to stop gambling for at least six (6) months and wish to be supported in their decision to stop. If you think you are spending too much time or money gambling - whether online or in gambling premises - you can ask to be 'self-excluded'.

    It is up to you to stick to your self-exclusion agreement, but if you try to gamble during that time Your Lottery will take reasonable steps to prevent you from doing so.

    Once you have made a self-exclusion agreement, we will close your account and return any money in your account to you. We will also take all reasonable steps to prevent any marketing material being sent to you, including by removing your name and details from any marketing databases.
     
  3. Self-Exclusion Procedure

    If you wish to stop gambling and enter into a self-exclusion agreement with us, you must contact us in one of the following ways:

    Before you self-exclude, we will provide you with sufficient information about the consequences of selfexclusion and ask you directly whether you understand and agree to the self-exclusion system. If you wish to proceed, we will send a 'Self-Exclusion Request Form' to you for completion, which you must then return to us by email or post as per the details set out above.

    We will also encourage you to consider extending your self-exclusion to other gambling operators you use. Please note that software is available to prevent an individual computer from accessing gambling internet sites. Further information is available on the GamCare website at: www.gamcare.org.uk/self-help/blocking-software

    Upon receiving your completed form, we will:

    1. enter your details into our self-exclusion register. This will be cross-referenced against the existing membership database and any new members who register for the lottery during the self-exclusion period;
       
    2. remove your name and details from any marketing database and we will not target you with marketing material at any time during the self-exclusion period;
       
    3. close your membership account and return any funds held in your name; and
       
    4. signpost you to counselling and support services in accordance with our Problem Gambling and Social Responsibility Policy.
       
    In order to ensure that an individual who has self-excluded cannot gain access to the lottery, we have put into effect the following procedures:

    1. a register of those excluded with appropriate records (including name, address and lottery membership number). We will retain such records at least for the length of the self-exclusion agreement plus a further six (6) months;
       
    2. staff training, both at induction and on a refresher basis, to ensure that staff are able to effectively administer the self-exclusion system;
       
    3. an individual must take positive action in order to self-exclude (i.e. by way of a signature on the self-exclusion form);
       
    4. the record of the self-exclusion will remain on file until the self-exclusion agreement has formally ended; and
       
    5. the self-excluded member must take positive action to be removed from the self-exclusion register and to re-enter the lottery at a future date.
       
    Please note that we are not required to carry out any particular assessment or make any judgement as to whether you (as a previously self-excluded individual) should again be permitted access to gambling. We will, however, check that you have considered the decision to access gambling again, allow you to consider the implications, and implement a one day "cooling-off" period in case you change your mind.
     
  4. Self-Exclusion Period

    We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that:

    1. the minimum self-exclusion period offered to you is of a duration of not less than six (6) nor more than twelve (12) months;
       
    2. any self-exclusion may, on request, be extended for one or more further periods of at least six (6) months;
       
    3. our self-exclusion arrangements give you the option of selecting a self-exclusion period of up to at least five (5) years;
       
    4. if you decide to enter a self-exclusion agreement, you will be given the opportunity to do so immediately without any "cooling-off" period. However, if you wish to consider the self-exclusion further (for example to discuss with problem gambling groups), you may return at a later date to enter into self-exclusion;
       
    5. at the end of the period chosen by you, self-exclusion remains in place, for a minimum of seven (7) years, unless you take positive action to gamble again;
       
    6. where you choose not to renew the self-exclusion period, and make a positive request to begin gambling again during the seven (7) year period following the end of your initial self-exclusion, you will be given one (1) day to "cool off" before being allowed to access gambling facilities. Contact will be made via phone or in person; re-registering online is not sufficient; and
       
    7. notwithstanding the expiry of the self-exclusion period, no marketing material will be sent to you unless and until you have asked for or agreed to accept such material.
       
  5. Equal Opportunities

    In line with its equal opportunities and dignity at work policies, Your Lottery will take steps to ensure that this Policy is not used in a discriminatory manner against any employee and that no individual is unfairly targeted.

    Your Lottery will take steps to ensure that an individual's dignity is respected at all times.


Last reviewed and updated: February 2022

self exclusion procedure