What is the difference between cool-off and self-exclusion?

A cool-off is a short break, typically 24 hours to six weeks, that locks the account and stops marketing. Self-exclusion is longer, commonly six months to five years, and at licensed operators it usually cannot be lifted early no matter how you ask; some regulators run a central scheme, such as GAMSTOP, that covers every licensed site at once. Both should end promotional email and SMS. Treat them as the correct tool the moment play stops being entertainment, turns into chasing losses, or eats money needed elsewhere. Deposit and loss limits are a lighter option, though increases normally carry a delay.