NVSEP: the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program

What does NVSEP actually cover?

NVSEP publishes a count on its homepage but no roster, and its FAQ answers the question with “NVSEP covers many states and territories in the US.” The coverage is only ever stated in one place: a banner line at the top of each state's page on nvsep.org. We read all 27 of them. The split matters more than the total.

That is not a criticism of NVSEP, which is free, well built and does exactly what it says on each state's page. It is a warning about the name. “National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program” sounds like one form that shuts every sportsbook in the country. In 16 of the 24 states it supports, it is a fantasy contest ban.

Which states does NVSEP cover?

Every state with an NVSEP page, and the coverage its banner names. States not listed here have no NVSEP page at all — enroll with the state directly.

Hawaii and Ohiohave a page on nvsep.org that still reads “Self-Exclusion Information Coming Soon” — which is NVSEP having published nothing, not NVSEP being on its way. States join continually. Check nvsep.org before relying on this table.

How do I sign up for NVSEP?

Four steps, all online, and free — NVSEP's FAQ answers the cost question in four words: “No. It is completely free.” That includes the notarization.

1. 1 Complete the state-specific forms on NVSEP's platform. NVSEP: “you can fill out the necessary paperwork from the comfort of your home without printing or scanning documents.”
2. 2 Upload a government-issued photo ID. Every self-exclusion program requires identification — this is the step that stops someone else filing on your behalf, and the reason a family member cannot enroll you.
3. 3 Complete a free online notarization if your state requires one. NVSEP partners with Proof to do it by video call, so a notary appointment is not a reason to put this off.
4. 4 NVSEP submits the forms electronically to the state agencies. It says the online portion takes 15–30 minutes and that most exclusions take effect within 24–72 hours.

Official page: portal.nvsep.org/sessions/new — enroll there directly, never through a third-party site that charges you.

How do I get off an NVSEP self-exclusion?

Mostly, you wait. NVSEP files into your state's program, so the state's rules decide how it ends — but NVSEP is unusually direct about the general answer.

Can it be ended early?

Almost never. NVSEP: “Most states do not allow early removal from self-exclusion programs. This is intentional to prevent impulsive decisions during moments of weakness.”

At the end of the term

It depends entirely on the state — some drop you automatically, many keep you listed until you apply. Your state page has the specific answer.

Lifetime exclusions

NVSEP: they “may have petition processes for removal after a minimum period (typically 5+ years)”. Several states offer no route off at all.

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.

Is NVSEP enough on its own?

Not by itself, and in the 16 fantasy-only states it is barely a start. NVSEP is a filing service for the exclusions your state already offers — it cannot create coverage a state does not have, and no exclusion scheme anywhere reaches offshore or crypto casinos. The setup that holds is layered: your state's own self-exclusion program, 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.

Frequently asked questions