A loss limit system and method automatically tracks a player's entry and cash play, and does not allow to play more than an allotted dollar amount during a given time frame or lose more than the establishment limit. Typically, excursions of play sessions are set up by day. Play is tracked at gaming machines and locked from all other play during card in at a machine. No other play is allowed at gaming machines, auto table rating systems or open table ratings, purchase of tokens, unless buy-in has not reached the loss limit for the session. At rollover, players are allowed to play again until they meet the same criteria for loss limit.