Illinois: Self Exclusion

In 2010, when the Massachusetts House passed grossly flawed Slot Barn legislation, the self-exclusion provision barely passed in Beacon Hill's attempt to genuflect before the Gambling interests.

As the article below indicates, this is far from a unique concept, just one that Massachusetts legislators, unfamiliar with the practices of other states and willing to blindly follow their leadership, remained ignorant of. Ignorance isn't bliss.

Thousands opt out of gambling in Illinois
Chuck Goudie


The opening of a new casino this week in Des Plaines signals the latest spread of legalized gambling in Illinois. But not everyone is applauding.

In this Intelligence Report: The I-Team has obtained new data that reveals there are thousands Illinois gamblers who want no part of the action.

For some people, gambling can become as addictive as alcohol or drugs, and just as damaging to careers and families. Nearly 10 years ago, the Illinois Gaming Board began a program of voluntary self-exclusion. Problem gamblers sign up with the state so that they can be kept out of casinos, and according to the latest figures obtained by the I-Team, thousands of people here have self-excluded.

When the national anthem signaled the opening of Illinois' newest casino this week, the mayor of Des Plaines saw dollar signs. More than 1,000 casino employees saw new jobs. And the patrons who lined up to get in just hoped to see a good time.

But, as the state's 10th gaming license went into play and the state looks at new gambling venues, more than 8,300 people in Illinois held their breath. That is how many problem gamblers have signed up for the gaming board's self-exclusion program.

Casino employees are paid bounties of up to $500 per self-excluded gambler that they catch on the floor. The law allows them to be charged with trespassing and any money they have won is seized.

"Even if you hit the biggest jackpot that the boat offers, you can't have that money, because once you go to collect those winnings it triggers their self-exclusion list, and if you're on there, you don't get the money," said Illinois Council on Problem Gambling's Bill Johnson.

That money seized from self-excluded gamblers amounts to almost a million dollars a year. Johnson says that is the state's only contribution to gambling addiction treatment programs, help groups that depend also on donations and corporate sponsorships.

In nine years since the self-exclusion programs started, the three Illinois gambling addiction programs together have received less than $1 million to help those who want help:


Outreach Foundation: $374,000
Illinois Council on Problem Gambling: $331,420
Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery: $243,447

Experts on pathological gambling say they expect even more gambling addicts in Illinois as the state adds casinos, slot machines and video poker.

"I don't think problem gamblers are good for the industry or the community," Johnson said.

For gambling addiction programs, help from the state is not likely. Even as the General Assembly has approved a Chicago casino and wide expansion of gambling venues across the state, there are no plans to fund the fallout effects from all those new gamblers who become compulsive.

Enrollment sites for participating in the Self-Exclusion Program

No fees are charged for enrolling in the Illinois Gaming Board Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program for Problem Gamblers.