WatchoverGuide · Self-exclusion ·
Gambling self-exclusion in the US, state by state
The US has no single national self-exclusion list. Each state that licenses gambling runs its own program, so enrolling in one state does not cover the others. Most programs offer one year, five years or lifetime, and some add three years. The table covers five states whose official pages we checked on 9 November 2026.
What self-exclusion is
Voluntary self-exclusion is a formal request, made to a regulator, to be barred from gambling for a period you choose. Licensed operators must then refuse your bets and keep marketing away from you. In several states, winnings made while excluded are forfeited. It is voluntary: no one else can put your name on a list.
Five states compared
| State | Durations | How to enroll | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 1 year, 5 years, lifetime (lifetime only in person) | Online (internet gaming and sports wagering), in person or by video, or from a player account | New Jersey |
| Pennsylvania | iGaming: 1 year, 5 years, lifetime | Online at the Gaming Control Board, or by appointment at a board office | Pennsylvania |
| New York | 1, 3 or 5 years, or lifetime | Paper form: at a licensed facility, at the Commission in Schenectady, or notarized by mail | New York |
| Illinois | See the Gaming Board page | In person at enrollment sites, with ID | Illinois |
| Massachusetts | 1, 3 or 5 years, or lifetime | By phone or chat, in person, or remote video enrollment | Massachusetts |
Sources, each accessed 9 November 2026: NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement; Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board; New York State Gaming Commission; Illinois Gaming Board; Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Programs change; check the official page before you enroll.
Other states
Michigan, Ohio, Arizona and many other states run their own programs. We list only states whose official pages we could read and check ourselves; the rest are not summarized here, and we would rather leave them out than guess. Search for your state's gaming regulator and look for "self-exclusion" or "voluntary exclusion".
What self-exclusion does not cover
A state list covers operators licensed in that state. It does not reach sites without a license there, other states' operators (unless they choose to extend the ban), or a casino you visit while traveling in another state. Pennsylvania's board notes that licensees may ban people more widely than the list requires. Offshore and unlicensed sites do not check these lists at all.
Blocking what the lists cannot
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.
Free help
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.
For the wider picture, see how to stop gambling and sports betting addiction. In the UK the equivalent is GAMSTOP.
Frequently asked
Is there a national gambling self-exclusion list in the US?
No. Each state runs its own program through its gaming regulator, so you enroll in each state where you want protection.
How long can I self-exclude for?
It depends on the state. New Jersey offers 1 year, 5 years or lifetime; New York and Massachusetts offer 1, 3 or 5 years or lifetime; Pennsylvania's iGaming program offers 1 year, 5 years or lifetime.
Is self-exclusion free?
Illinois states that no fees are charged for enrolling. Check the official page of your state for its terms.
Can someone else enroll me?
No. Pennsylvania's board states placement is entirely voluntary and must be done by the individual.
Will self-exclusion stop offshore betting sites?
No. State lists apply to operators licensed in that state. A device-level blocker is a separate layer.
Where can I get help?
Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET, the National Problem Gambling Helpline run by the National Council on Problem Gambling, or chat at 1800myreset.org. It is free, confidential and open 24/7.
This page is for information only and isn't a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment.