WatchoverGuide · Illinois ·
Illinois gambling self-exclusion: casinos and sports betting
Illinois runs its Self-Exclusion Program through the Illinois Gaming Board. It began for casinos in 2002 and was extended to sports wagering after the 2019 Sports Wagering Act. You enroll in person at a sanctioned site with a valid ID, which takes about 30 to 45 minutes, and no fee is charged.
What it covers
The Gaming Board says the program lets people who have decided they are problem gamblers exclude themselves from all Illinois casinos, and that people on the list are also barred from sports wagering since the 2019 Sports Wagering Act.
How to enroll
- Go in person. The Board states that you must enroll in person at a sanctioned enrollment site. IGB offices at the casinos are enrollment sites, and no appointment is needed there, though staff may ask you to come back if they are busy. There are also sites in Iowa.
- Bring ID. A valid driver's license or state-issued identification card.
- Allow time. About 30 to 45 minutes. The Board says no fees are charged and sites are not compensated for taking part.
Questions and removal
For questions, use the Board's online inquiry form (choose Self-Exclusion Program as the category) or call the program director at (312) 814-8832, or 1-877-968-7848 for Illinois area codes. The Board points to its FAQ for how removal works, and the program rules are in Sections 745 to 790 of its adopted rules. We could not read the FAQ page when checking, so we do not describe durations or removal here. Read it before you enroll.
Add a phone-level block
Self-exclusion and a phone block do different jobs. Self-exclusion works through licensed operators in that state. A blocker works on your device, including sites no program lists. Many people use both: block gambling sites and apps on iPhone, and compare blocker apps. Watchover blocks gambling sites on iPhone and tells someone you trust if protection is switched off.
Help
The Gaming Board lists 1-800-GAMBLER among its responsible gambling resources. For the national helpline, call or text 1-800-MY-RESET.
If gambling is hurting you or someone close to you. Free, confidential help is available at any hour. Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET, or chat online at 1800myreset.org. It is the National Problem Gambling Helpline run by the National Council on Problem Gambling, and it is open 24/7 (checked 9 November 2026). Some state agencies and operators still print 1-800-GAMBLER; NCPG stopped operating that number after a court ruling on 29 September 2025, so use 1-800-MY-RESET to reach the national helpline. Worldwide support is also at gamblingtherapy.org. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
Sources, each accessed 9 November 2026: Illinois Gaming Board, Self-Exclusion Program. Programs change; check the official page before you enroll.
Back to the state-by-state overview.
Frequently asked
How do I self-exclude in Illinois?
Enroll in person at a sanctioned enrollment site, such as an Illinois Gaming Board office at a casino, with a valid driver's license or state ID.
Does Illinois self-exclusion cover sports betting?
Yes. The Gaming Board says people on the list are barred from sports wagering.
Does it cost anything?
No. The Board states no fees are charged for enrolling.
How long does enrollment take?
About 30 to 45 minutes, according to the Board.
Who do I call with questions?
The program director at (312) 814-8832, or 1-877-968-7848 for Illinois area codes, or the Board's online inquiry form.
This page is for information only and isn't a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment.