Problem gambling is classed as an addiction by major medical manuals, with the same loss of control and withdrawal seen in other dependencies. It is not hereditary in a simple sense, but family history, early exposure and some personality traits raise the risk. Anyone can gamble responsibly by deciding a budget and a time limit before starting, never chasing losses and treating a win as luck rather than proof of skill. Help lines and support services are free in most places.
Self exclusion lasts as long as the period chosen at the start, commonly six months, one year or five years, and some schemes offer a lifetime option. It is not permanent unless that option is picked, but no one can cancel it early: a temporary self exclusion runs its full course by design. Once the period has expired, access does not return by itself on most schemes; the player has to ask for it, often after a cooling off period.
What happens if a player tries to breach self exclusion depends on the scheme, but operators are expected to close any account they find, refuse deposits and return or withhold stakes placed during the ban. Winnings from a breach are commonly voided. Self exclusion does not affect a credit rating, since gambling records are not shared with credit agencies, although spending patterns on a bank account can still be seen by a lender who reads the statements.