Self-Exclusion Resources
Per-operator self-exclusion
Every sportsbook we list lets you self-exclude from your account settings. Look for "Responsible Gambling" or "Self-Exclusion" in the account menu. Options typically include 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and permanent.
How to do it at each operator
- Stake: Account → Settings → Self-Exclusion
- 1xBet: Profile → Security → Self-Exclusion
- 1Win: Profile → Responsible Play
- Melbet: Account → Self-Exclusion
- Betwinner: Profile → Responsible Gaming
- Paripesa: Profile → Self-Exclusion
Device-level blocking
If self-exclusion at individual operators is not enough, use device-level blockers:
- Gamban (gamban.com) — paid service, blocks thousands of gambling sites on your devices
- BetBlocker (betblocker.org) — free blocker for desktop and mobile
Financial blocks
Several Nigerian banks allow gambling transaction blocks. Call your bank's customer service and ask for a gambling merchant code block.
Human help
If you need someone to talk to: 0700 BETS NG (Bet9ja's Problem Gamblers Hotline) or Gamble Alert.
What self-exclusion actually does
Self-exclusion blocks you from logging in, depositing or placing a bet with the operator you excluded from, for a fixed period (24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, 6 months, 1 year, or permanent).
It does not block you on any other operator. Nigeria has no cross-operator self-exclusion registry like the UK's GAMSTOP, which is a gap we think will close in the next two years.
It does not refund existing balances. If you have N8,000 sitting in a wallet and you self-exclude, most operators will process a withdrawal request; a few will not. Check the terms.
How to self-exclude on each Bets.ng listed operator
Stake — Account menu, Responsible Gambling, Self-exclusion. Options: 7 days to permanent. Applied immediately on confirmation.
1xBet — Live chat, request ‘self-exclusion’. Applied within one hour. Written confirmation emailed.
1win — In-app settings, Responsibility. Options: 1 month to permanent. Immediate.
Melbet — Live chat or email support. Applied within two hours. Requires ID verification if not already done.
Betwinner — Account settings, Responsible Gambling, Self-limit or Self-exclusion. Immediate.
Paripesa — Email [email protected]. Applied within 24 hours, slower than the others.
After you self-exclude
The operator will stop sending you marketing emails and SMS for the duration of the exclusion (by law where we have one, by contract with us in every case for our affiliate partners).
Your account is locked. You cannot log in, deposit, place a bet or speak with a regular support agent about playing.
When the exclusion ends (or earlier, if you set only a short cool-off), you will get an email asking whether you want to reactivate. You have to actively say yes. If you do not reply, the account stays locked.
If you asked for a permanent self-exclusion, the account is closed. You can never reopen that account; you could in theory open a new one but the operator will usually recognise the ID and block it.
Combining self-exclusion with other tools
Self-exclusion blocks the account, but not the URL or the app. Install Gamban on your phone and laptop — it blocks thousands of gambling sites and takes a week of cooling-off to remove. That window is often the difference.
Tell a trusted person your exclusion end date. If it is a six-month exclusion, write the date and put it on the fridge. Reopening at the end becomes a deliberate decision rather than a reflex.
Move any winnings out of betting wallets to a savings account. PiggyVest, Cowrywise and similar apps have lockboxes that are much harder to raid than a betting wallet.
If the operator does not honour a self-exclusion
This is a serious breach. File a complaint with the operator's support, and cc us at [email protected].
Nigerian operators: file with the Lagos State Gaming Authority or the NLRC, whichever licenced the operator.
Offshore operators: file with the Curaçao eGaming authority.
We will flag the breach on the operator's Bets.ng review page for 60 days and escalate on your behalf where we can.