Frequently asked questions for the IL Self Exclusion Program
Self-exclusion
For an additional measure you can undertake to stop gambling, you may choose self-exclusion. Once you register, you will voluntarily be excluded from entering any of the Illinois-owned casinos, as well as cashing checks and using credit cards. You will also be taken off of all casino mailing lists and will be unable to claim Illinois Lottery winnings.
How do I Self-Exclude?
Persons wishing to Self-Exclude at the IGB Offices in Chicago should call 1-877-YOU-QUIT or 1-877-968-7848 to schedule an appointment to Self-Exclude. Persons seeking to Self-Exclude may also do so at the IGB offices located at the state’s riverboat casinos. IGB agents located at those offices will do their best to clear their busy schedules to accommodate those seeking to Self-Exclude.
If a person does not speak English, he or she should call 1-877-YOU-QUIT or 312.814-8832 so arrangements can be made to have a translator present. A family member or friend who speaks English may serve as a translator.
How do I get off the Self-Exclusion List after I have enrolled?
The Illinois Self-Exclusion Program is for life. Removal from the list of Self-Excluded persons is very difficult. After five years a Self-Excluded person may request removal from the Self-Exclusion List. However, in order to be removed from the Self-Exclusion List, a Self-Excluded person must provide an affidavit from a licensed mental health professional who is also a certified gambling addictions counselor. The affidavit, which must be addressed to the Administrator of the Illinois Gaming Board, must attest and confirm that the licensed, certified gambling addictions counselor has determined that the Self-Excluded person no longer is a problem gambler and can gamble responsibly. Obtaining such an affidavit will be difficult. The Administrator will take such an affidavit into consideration when deciding if a person should be removed from the Self-Exclusion List. If the submission meets the requirements for removal, there may be further investigation required by the IGB before considering the request. The IGB’s legal staff may also seek public action from the five members of the Illinois Gaming Board in order to remove a Self-Excluded person from the Self-Exclusion List. In addition, a person seeking removal from the Self-Exclusion List must provide the following:
Documentation as to treatment received for the person’s gambling problem, length of treatment, and names and qualifications of treatment providers.
A written recommendation, from a qualified mental health professional who is a certified gambling counselor, as to the person's capacity to participate in gambling without adverse health and mental health risks or consequences related to gambling. “Certified gambling counselor" means an individual who has completed a specific course of study in the treatment of problem gambling and has been certified by a certification organization acceptable to the Board. Those organizations include the following: National Council on Problem Gambling, American Compulsive Gambling Counselor Certification Board and the Illinois Dept of Human Services.
Upon request of the Administrator, a written recommendation, from a second or subsequent physician or qualified mental health professional who is a certified gambling counselor, as to the self-excluded person's capacity to participate in gambling without adverse health and mental health risks or consequences related to gambling.
All information required under Section 3000.755(a), including name, address, date of birth, social security number, a copy of the person’s driver’s license, a physical description and a current photograph.
A statement informing the Administrator whether the person has been present at any riverboat gaming operations while on the Self-Exclusion List and, if so, the names of the riverboat operations at which the person was present and dates and times of attendance.
A waiver of liability of the Board, its agents and the State of Illinois for any damages that may arise out of any act or omission committed by the person as a consequence of his or her removal from the Self-Exclusion List, including any monetary or other damages sustained in connection with the person's renewal of any gaming activities.
A verified, written consent to the release of all of the person's medical and counseling records related to the proposed removal from the Self-Exclusion List.
Any additional information, forms, recommendations, or other materials
necessary, as determined by the Administrator, to demonstrate the elimination of the mental health or medical condition underlying the person's acknowledgement that he or she has been a problem gambler and unable to gamble responsibly.
Where do I go to Self-Exclude?
There are a total of twenty-seven locations throughout the state including six in Iowa where persons may enroll in the IGB Self-Exclusion Program. Those seeking to Self-Exclude can do so at the IGB’s Chicago office and at the IGB offices located on all Illinois riverboat casinos.
If I enroll in the Illinois Gaming Board's Self-Exclusion Program, will I be excluded from only Illinois casinos?
No. Casinos operators in Illinois can request they be allowed to ban Illinois Gaming Board Self-Excluded persons from all their properties and operations throughout the United States. Currently persons who enroll in the Illinois Gaming Board’s Self-Exclusion Program are excluded from all Illinois casinos as well as all casinos and operations owned by Caesar’s Entertainment Inc. and Boyd Gaming. Caesar’s Entertainment is the largest casino company in the world and owns casinos in 14 states. Among Caesar’s properties and brands are all Horseshoe, Bally’s, Caesars Palace, Flamingo and Showboat casinos. Boyd Gaming owns casinos in Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, and Louisiana. Among Boyd’s properties are the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, IN and the Borgata in Atlantic City.
Who can Self-Exclude?
Anyone can Self-Exclude who has determined they are a problem or compulsive gambler and can no longer gamble responsibly.
Can I Self-Exclude my spouse or significant other from Illinois casinos?
No. Self-Exclusion is totally voluntary. A person cannot exclude their spouse or significant other. Those who seek Self-Exclusion must voluntarily complete the Self-Exclusion application in person at a location designated by the Illinois Gaming Board in order to be placed on the Self-Exclusion list.
My significant other told me he/she has enrolled is the IGB Self-Exclusion Program. How do I know if that’s true?
The IGB cannot divulge the names of those on the Self-Exclusion List to spouses, significant others or employers. However, all persons who enroll in the IGB Self-Exclusion Program receive a copy of all documents that they sign as part of the enrollment process. A follow-up letter is also sent to the home of each Self-Excluded person informing them of their SEP (Self-Excluded Person) Number. Persons who have enrolled in the Self-Exclusion Program who have misplaced or lost copies of these documents may receive new copies only if they appear in person at the IGB’s Chicago Office.
My significant other has already signed up for the Illinois Gaming Board’s Self-Exclusion Program and continues to gamble at the casinos. What can I do?
Call the Program Director at 877.968.7848 or 312.814.8832 to report your suspicions and the name of the casino where you believe a Self-Excluded person is gambling.
Isn’t it shameful to admit to having a problem with gambling?
No. Problem gambling is like a disease. It is not your fault or the fault of a loved one if it is contracted. But it is the responsibility of the problem/compulsive gambler to do something about it. What is shameful is to continue doing serious damage to yourself and loved ones while knowing full well that gambling is a problem. People need to be aware of the danger signals, which can give them early warning that they are susceptible to the disease.
Does it cost anything to Self-Exclude?
All it costs is time. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to enroll in the Self-Exclusion Program. Persons wishing to Self-Exclude must bring identification, such as a valid driver’s license or state issued identification card. Those persons who do not speak English should make arrangements with an English-speaking friend or relative to accompany them to an enrollment site to serve as translator in order to complete the required forms.
If I enroll who will know I Self-Excluded?
The records generated by IGB’s Self-Exclusion Program are strictly confidential. In order to facilitate the program’s goals the name, Social Security number, home address, Driver’s License number, date of birth and a photograph of each Self-Excluded person is shared with the state’s casinos. The information provided to the Illinois Gaming Board’s licensees is used only to enforce the IGB’s Self-Exclusion Program.
If I enroll will the Illinois Gaming Board ever contact me?
All persons who Self-Exclude receive a follow up letter from the Illinois Gaming Board informing them of their SEP (Self-Excluded Person) number. The confidentiality provisions contained in the Gaming Board’s Self-Exclusion Rule protects all information regarding an enrollee’s application. The SEP Number is a personal identification number used to identify placement on the Self-Exclusion List.
What happens if I Self-Exclude and go into an Illinois casino?
The Self-Exclusion Program was created to help problem gamblers help themselves. The responsibility for staying out of Illinois casinos rests solely on the person who self excludes and not with the Illinois Gaming Board or Illinois riverboat casinos. If a Self-Excluded person is found on an Illinois casino gambling, all chips and tokens clearly in their possession will be donated to one of three Illinois Department of Human Services designated, not-for-profit organizations created to help problem/compulsive gamblers. Those organizations include:
The Outreach Foundation for Problem and Compulsive Gamblers
Illinois Council on Problem Gambling
Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery
A Self-Excluded person must indicate which of the three organizations should receive such a donation at the time of their enrollment. Most importantly, a person who Self-Excludes who re-enters an Illinois casino faces the distinct possibility of being placed under arrest and charged with trespassing.
What are the responsibilities of a Self-Excluded Person?
After a person enrolls in the Illinois Gaming Board’s Self-Exclusion Program it is their responsibility to:
Stay out of all Illinois Riverboat Casinos
Inform an Illinois Gaming Board Self-Exclusion Program Director of any change of their address
Inform an Illinois Gaming Board Self-Exclusion Program Director if they receive any brochures or letters from an Illinois riverboat casino
After I Self-Exclude, will I continue receiving marketing materials from Illinois casinos?
Under the Illinois Gaming Board’s Self-Exclusion Rule once a person enrolls in the Self-Exclusion Program their name must be removed from all mailing lists and marketing databases used by Illinois casinos. It may take several weeks however for a person to no longer receive mailings since some mass mailings are scheduled months in advance.