Is there a self-exclusion list for gambling in Illinois?
Yes, there is a self-exclusion list in Illinois that is governed and maintained by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB). Considered a valuable resource for responsible gambling, self-exclusion lists are put in place to help people avoid or get help when it comes to problem gambling disorders.
As retail casinos and Illinois sportsbooks continue to explode in popularity in the state, more people than ever, especially young people, are being introduced to gambling for the first time. The increase in gambling exposure has hit young adults the hardest, as anywhere from 2%-7% (Yale Medicine, 2021) are said to deal with some form of gambling problem disorder.
While there are a plethora of gambling help resources available in the state, the self-exclusion list in Illinois is meant to act as a last line of defense as it prevents customers from entering gambling establishments at all.
How does the Illinois self-exclusion list work?
The Illinois self-exclusion list works by customers signing up to be on it, which once enrolled, prohibits them for 5 years from entering a casino in the State of Illinois. This includes every single casino regulated by the IGB, and once on the list, you would be flagged when scanning your ID at the entrance.
The Illinois self-exclusion list is a free, voluntary self exlusion program, which while in most cases set at five years, can be set at as little as two and as much as a lifetime self-ban. When you enroll yourself on the Illinois self-exclusion list, you will also be registered on the Problem Gambling Registry which will send you recurring emails to get further help on your gambling problem.
Once on the list, you will not be allowed to wager at Illinois casinos and retail sportsbooks, off-track betting locations, online sportsbooks, online racebooks, or video lottery machines.
Can you take yourself off the Illinois self-exclusion list?
Yes, you can take yourself off the Illinois self-exclusion list but only after five years have passed. In other states, this is not the case, nor is it the case to only be placed on it for two years which Illinois residents may also do in some situations.
If you do decide to remove yourself from the Illinos self-exclusion list, which we do not recommend, you must acquire a notarized affidavit from a mental health professional officially licensed in the state of Illinois. This piece of paper should provide an opinion from a legal mental health professional whose opinion is that you can responsibly gamble.
It’s worth noting that the IGB has gone on record saying this will be a difficult process to be removed early from this list, as one of their many responsibilities is to limit problem gambling. The program is primarily designed to prevent problem gamblers from harming themselves even further.
Why do people put themselves on the Illinois self-exclusion list?
People put themselves on the Illinois self-exclusion list for a number of reasons, all of which include identifying they have a form of problem gambling. Some key signs of having a gambling problem include borrowing money they don’t have to gamble, wagering more than they can safely afford to lose, lying to friends and family about how much they gamble, and the lack of self-control when it comes to walking away from a gambling session.
When any of the above indicators are present, gamblers will put themselves on the Illinois self-exclusion list as a last line of defense that prevents them from entering a gambling facility of any kind in the state. Once on this list, they physically can not even enter a gambling facility, let alone make a wager of some kind.
If you or someone you know has concerns, we encourage you to visit our page focused on responsible gambling in Illinois for more information.