The first deposit was $10 on a Thursday night parlay. FanDuel made it easy. A few taps, Apple Pay, done. By Sunday, I'd deposited $200 more chasing the losses from that parlay. Within a month I had accounts on DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM because I was chasing the best lines, the best promos, the best bonuses. Multiple apps meant multiple ways to lose.
If you're hooked on DraftKings, FanDuel, or both, you already know the feeling. The push notifications that pull you back. The "free bet" that costs you $500 chasing the wagering requirement. The ease of depositing versus the friction of withdrawing. These apps are engineered to keep you playing. This page is about getting out.
How to self-exclude from DraftKings
Open the DraftKings app or website and navigate to your account settings. Look for "Responsible Gaming" or "Safer Gambling Tools." Select the self-exclusion option. DraftKings offers exclusion periods typically ranging from 1 year to 5 years, or permanent. During the exclusion period, your account will be closed and you won't be able to create a new one.
You can also contact DraftKings customer support directly. Request self-exclusion in writing and keep a record of your request.
Important: DraftKings self-exclusion only covers DraftKings. You'll need to separately self-exclude from every other platform you have an account with.
How to self-exclude from FanDuel
FanDuel's self-exclusion is available through your account under "Responsible Gaming" settings. Choose your exclusion period. Like DraftKings, options typically range from 1 year to permanent. Your account will be deactivated and any remaining balance will be returned to you.
For added protection, contact FanDuel support directly to confirm your self-exclusion is in place. Keep documentation of any communication.
Statewide self-exclusion: cover all apps at once
Most states with legal sports betting offer a statewide self-exclusion program through their gaming commission or lottery. This covers all licensed operators in your state with a single enrollment. Search "[your state] gambling self-exclusion program" to find the application.
Statewide self-exclusion is more powerful than platform-by-platform exclusion because it covers operators you haven't discovered yet and any new ones that launch. The process typically involves submitting an application with photo ID. Exclusion periods vary by state but often include a lifetime option.
After self-exclusion: what to do next
Self-exclusion removes access, but it doesn't remove the urge. Here's what to do after you've excluded yourself.
Install blocking software
Gamban blocks access to over 60,000 gambling sites and prevents you from re-downloading gambling apps. It works across all your devices. This is your safety net for moments when the urge is strong enough that you'd try to circumvent your self-exclusion.
Clean up your digital environment
Delete all gambling apps. Remove saved payment methods from your phone. Unsubscribe from promotional emails (DraftKings and FanDuel will send re-engagement emails even after self-exclusion in some cases). Unfollow betting accounts on social media. Mute gambling-related keywords.
Tell someone what you've done
Self-exclusion is a significant step. Tell at least one person you trust. This creates accountability and gives you someone to call when the urge hits. Isolation is the enemy of recovery.
Why the apps make it so hard to quit
DraftKings and FanDuel spend billions on user acquisition and retention. Their apps are designed by teams that specialize in behavioral engagement. Features like push notifications, streak bonuses, same-game parlays, and micro-betting (betting on the outcome of individual plays) are all optimized to increase session time and deposits.
The "free bet" promotions aren't free. They require wagering the bonus amount, which means you need to bet (and usually lose) significantly more than the bonus to withdraw anything. Deposit bonuses follow the same model. These are marketing costs for the company, not gifts to you.
Understanding that you're not battling your own willpower but rather a multi-billion dollar industry's behavioral engineering is important context for recovery. You're not failing because you're weak. You're struggling because the product works exactly as designed.
Keep taking small steps.
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The guide and free lessons are available without buying a subscription.Sources and further support
- DraftKings: self-exclusion overviewDraftKings' U.S. policy for self-exclusion periods, early removal, account access after expiration, and funds.
- FanDuel: what is self-exclusion?FanDuel's support guidance for self-exclusion and the difference between self-exclusion and a timeout.
- National Problem Gambling HelplineConfidential gambling support and local referrals from the National Council on Problem Gambling.
- Gamban gambling blocking softwareBlocking software designed to restrict gambling websites and apps across devices.
- BetBlocker gambling blocking softwareFree gambling blocking software from a registered charity.