Gambling Self-Exclusion in Illinois (SEP)

Illinois has 15+ commercial casinos, tens of thousands of video gaming terminals in bars and truck stops, retail and online sports betting, the state lottery (including online sales), and horse racing.

Checked against Illinois Gaming Board (IGB)'s official program page on August 19, 2026 · compiled by Cashout

Guide updated 2026-09-18. Source dates above are separate from editorial changes. Confirm coverage, enrollment and removal eligibility with the program; submitting a form is not confirmation of acceptance.

The short answer

Illinois residents can self-exclude from gambling through Self-Exclusion Program (SEP), run by Illinois Gaming Board (IGB). Exclusion periods: lifetime. Excludes enrollees from the gaming floors of all Illinois casinos and from all licensed sports wagering operators (retail and online); it does not yet cover video gaming terminals in bars and restaurants, though the IGB has pursued rulemaking to add them.

How does Illinois's self-exclusion program work?

Self-Exclusion Program (SEP) is run by Illinois Gaming Board (IGB). You enroll once and every operator it covers must refuse you for the term you chose.

Run by: Illinois Gaming Board (IGB)
What it covers: Excludes enrollees from the gaming floors of all Illinois casinos and from all licensed sports wagering operators (retail and online); it does not yet cover video gaming terminals in bars and restaurants, though the IGB has pursued rulemaking to add them.
Durations: lifetime
Help line: (312) 814-8832

How do I sign up for self-exclusion in Illinois?

Illinois's self-exclusion form is on the official Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) page linked below — there is no fee and no third party needs to be involved.

1 Go in person. The Illinois Gaming Board: “Persons must enroll in the Self-Exclusion Program in person at various sanctioned enrollment sites throughout the state.” There is no online form and nothing to post.
2 Use an IGB office inside any Illinois casino - “An appointment is not necessary to enroll in the program at an IGB office located at a casino.” There are also IGB self-exclusion enrollment sites in Iowa.
3 Bring photo ID. “All Self-Exclusion candidates must bring a valid driver's license or state issued identification card.”
4 Set aside the time: the IGB says enrollment “will take about 30 to 45 minutes”. No fees are charged.

Official page: igb.illinois.gov/help-for-problem-gamblers/self-exclusion-program.html — enroll there directly, never through a third-party site.

How do I get off the Illinois self-exclusion list?

Can it be ended early?: No. The term you pick is the term you serve.
At the end of the term: You stay on the list until you apply to come off. Reaching the end date on its own does nothing.

1 Serve the mandatory five-year minimum. There is no shorter term to choose and no early exit.
2 Obtain documentation from a licensed mental health professional certified in gambling addiction counseling.
3 Submit the removal request to the Illinois Gaming Board with that documentation.

Nothing happens at the five-year mark on its own. Until the Board grants removal you are still listed, and chips, tokens and winnings taken while excluded are confiscated and donated to problem gambling nonprofits.

Worth saying plainly: wanting off the list is not the same as being ready to gamble again, and the urge to check usually arrives long before the term does. What actually happens when people come off a self-exclusion list goes through that in full.

Can I use NVSEP in Illinois?

Partly. NVSEP — the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program — is a free service that fills in and files state self-exclusion forms for you, and it does file in Illinois. What it reaches here is fantasy sports and nothing else: not casinos, not sportsbooks, not the lottery. What NVSEP covers, state by state has the full roster.

What should I watch out for with Illinois self-exclusion?

Enrollment is indefinite with a mandatory minimum of 5 years; after 5 years a person may request removal but must submit documentation from a licensed mental health professional certified in gambling addiction counseling. If a self-excluded person is caught gambling, chips, tokens, and winnings are confiscated and donated to problem gambling nonprofits. Video gaming terminals are currently outside the program. Illinois helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER.

Is self-exclusion enough on its own in Illinois?

Illinois's program only binds operators licensed in the state — offshore sites and crypto casinos ignore it. The setup that holds is layered: self-exclusion, plus a ban inside each betting app you hold, plus a gambling blocker on your devices plus a gambling block on your bank card. For the full walkthrough, start with our self-exclusion guide or the complete guide to quitting gambling.

Gambling across the Illinois line?

A state program only binds operators licensed in that state. If you drive to a casino or bet on an app registered next door, you need that state's ban too.

Or compare every US state's program side by side.

Frequently asked questions

Does Illinois have a gambling self-exclusion program?

Yes. Self-Exclusion Program (SEP) is run by Illinois Gaming Board (IGB). Excludes enrollees from the gaming floors of all Illinois casinos and from all licensed sports wagering operators (retail and online); it does not yet cover video gaming terminals in bars and restaurants, though the IGB has pursued rulemaking to add them.

How long does self-exclusion last in Illinois?

You can choose lifetime. Note: Enrollment is indefinite with a mandatory minimum of 5 years; after 5 years a person may request removal but must submit documentation from a licensed mental health professional certified in gambling addiction counseling. If a self-excluded person is caught gambling, chips, tokens, and winnings are confiscated and donated to problem gambling nonprofits. Video gaming terminals are currently outside the program. Illinois helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER.

How do I get off the Illinois self-exclusion list?

Illinois enrollment is indefinite with a mandatory five-year minimum. After five years you may request removal, but the request has to be backed by documentation from a licensed mental health professional certified in gambling addiction counseling. Serve the mandatory five-year minimum. There is no shorter term to choose and no early exit. Obtain documentation from a licensed mental health professional certified in gambling addiction counseling. Submit the removal request to the Illinois Gaming Board with that documentation. Nothing happens at the five-year mark on its own. Until the Board grants removal you are still listed, and chips, tokens and winnings taken while excluded are confiscated and donated to problem gambling nonprofits.

How do I sign up for self-exclusion in Illinois?

Go in person. The Illinois Gaming Board: “Persons must enroll in the Self-Exclusion Program in person at various sanctioned enrollment sites throughout the state.” There is no online form and nothing to post.. Use an IGB office inside any Illinois casino - “An appointment is not necessary to enroll in the program at an IGB office located at a casino.” There are also IGB self-exclusion enrollment sites in Iowa.. Bring photo ID. “All Self-Exclusion candidates must bring a valid driver's license or state issued identification card.”. Set aside the time: the IGB says enrollment “will take about 30 to 45 minutes”. No fees are charged.. Always use the official page — never a third-party site.

Does Illinois self-exclusion cover offshore and crypto gambling sites?

Do not assume it does. Coverage depends on the program and participating operators, not simply the payment currency. Check the official scope and consider device blocking and available payment controls for gaps.

Self-exclusion in Illinois is layer one.

Cashout is preparing an iOS app with self-exclusion guidance, device blocking and support for urges. Enroll directly with the official program or operator; joining our waitlist does not enroll you or change your bank settings.