Illinois Responsible Gambling: Rules, Regulations & Guidelines

Illinois operates one of the nation’s most expansive gaming markets with 17 casinos, over 36,000 video gaming terminals, and comprehensive sports betting legalized June 28, 2019. The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) administers regulation for all formats. 

Illinois faces significant challenges: 3.8% of adults (383,000 people) have gambling problems; an additional 7.7% (761,000 people) are at risk—over 1 million Illinoisans total. The state budgeted $10 million for gambling disorder services in SFY23, funding 26 treatment programs and training 245+ clinicians. 

Illinois’s Self-Exclusion Program (implemented 2002, expanded to sports betting 2020) requires a minimum five-year exclusion—among the longest in the U.S. September 2024 advertising regulations banned “risk-free” language across all gaming. April 2025 credit card prohibition for sports betting makes Illinois the 7th state with such ban. 

At a Glance

Self-Exclusion Program

Illinois’s Self-Exclusion Program (SEP), implemented 2002 and expanded to sports betting 2019, requires a minimum five-year exclusion—among longest mandatory minimums nationally. 

Enrollment: In-person at IGB offices at all casinos (no online/mail/phone enrollment). No fees charged. Contact: (312) 814-8832 or 1-(877) 968-7848. 

Coverage: Persons excluded from entering casino areas, engaging in gambling, and participating in sports wagering (retail and online). 

Consequences: Names flagged in all mailing/marketing lists. No marketing materials sent. Cannot gamble or collect winnings. Violations subject to enforcement. 

Removal: After 5 years, may request removal based on elimination of underlying mental health/medical condition. IGB Administrator reviews and may approve or deny. Operators may continue denying privileges even after official removal. Denials reviewable by IGB Board; closed proceedings protect confidentiality. 

Rules: Sections 745-790 of Illinois Gaming Board’s Adopted Rules (86 Ill. Admin. Code, Tit. 86, pt. 3000). 

Players In, Players Out: Balancing Acquisition & Retention

Explore the latest industry data on player retention, risk behaviors, and the operator technologies shaping safer, more sustainable iGaming growth.

Read the report

Report

Treatment Infrastructure 

IDHS/SUPR Leadership: Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery licenses, funds, and oversees all gambling disorder services. 

2022 Needs Assessment: First comprehensive statewide assessment found 3.8% (383,000) with problems, 7.7% (761,000) at risk. Report includes 10 strategic recommendations for prevention, treatment, awareness, and addressing disparate impacts on marginalized populations. 

Treatment Network: 26 programs funded through SFY22 (21 provide outpatient treatment/outreach). In SFY21, 13,037 assessments conducted (440% increase), followed by 185% increase in treatment admissions. 

Clinician Training: 245+ clinicians trained over two years. Monthly webinars, two-day Summit on Problem Gambling, 30-hour Gambling Counselor Training offered. 

Screening: Mandatory use of NODS, BBGS, or GA 20 screen prior to ASAM assessment. If positive, ASAM assessment must incorporate gambling disorder guidelines. 

Funding: Gambling disorder treatment not Medicaid-covered; services billed to SUPR funding using DARTS software with “L” tag. All funding from gambling tax revenues. 

Illinois Helpline & Resources 

Are You Really Winning / We Know The Feeling: 

• Website: WeKnowTheFeeling.org (24/7 access, live chat) 
• Phone: 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) 
• Text: “ILGamb” to 833234 
• Free, confidential, any language 

Specialists trained in evidence-based approaches connect callers with treatment and recovery support. Website includes self-assessment tools, stories of hope, provider resources. 

Illinois Council on Problem Gambling: Privately funded by grants/donations. Annual state appropriation required for compulsive gambling program. Provides training, education, advocacy. 

September 2024 Advertising Regulations 

IGB adopted comprehensive advertising rules extending sports betting restrictions to casinos and video gaming, creating uniform standards. 

Prohibited Language: Cannot imply gambling as “risk-free” or describe as “free”/”cost-free”/”free of risk” if patrons must risk own money. 

Youth Protection: 

• No ads where majority of audience under 21 
• Prohibited on college campuses, college media (newspapers, radio, TV, websites) 
• Cannot depict college students, colleges, or college settings 
• Gambling logos banned from clothing/toys/games for under-21 

Marketing Requirements: All communications must include easily accessible opt-out option. No gambling messages on problem gambling assistance websites. 

Liability: Master licensees liable for actions by marketing affiliates on their behalf. 

April 2025 Credit Card Ban 

IGB adopted prohibition on credit cards funding sports betting accounts (pending JCAR approval). Illinois becomes 7th state with such ban, joining Iowa, Massachusetts, Tennessee, others. 

Rationale: “Growing body of recent research showing restrictions on credit usage encourages responsible gambling and mitigates harms of compulsive gambling. Problem gamblers particularly at risk with often-problematic willingness to use credit cards.” — IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter 

Integration with Cashless: Credit ban coexists with cashless wagering modernization. Digital wallets/casino accounts subject to credit ban, self-exclusion controls, age restrictions, AML safeguards. 

Existing Restrictions: Casino and video gaming credit card prohibitions long existed; sports betting ban extends protection uniformly. 

Tax Structure

Casino Gaming (Graduated): 

• Table games: 15% (up to $25M), 20% (over $25M) 
• Slots/video gaming: 15% ($0-$25M), 22.5% ($25M-$50M), 27.5% ($50M-$75M), 32.5% ($75M-$100M), 37.5% ($100M-$150M), 45% ($150M-$200M), 50% (over $200M) 

Sports Betting: 20% (increased from 10% in 2024 budget) 

Admissions: $2/person (Casino Rock Island), $3/person (other casinos/racinos) 

Problem Gambling Allocation: Remaining casino gambling funds after designated allocations are distributed to problem gambling programs. 

Regulatory Framework Summary

Illinois demonstrates comprehensive but challenged system addressing substantial problem gambling prevalence through treatment investment, long-term exclusion, and evolving advertising restrictions.

Strengths: 

• $10M annual gambling disorder services budget (SFY23) 
• Evidence-based policy via 2022 needs assessment
• 26 treatment programs, 245+ trained clinicians 
• Uniform advertising standards (Sept 2024) across all gaming 
• 24/7 multi-channel helpline (phone, text, chat) 
• 5-year minimum exclusion supporting long-term recovery 
• Credit card prohibition (April 2025) for sports betting 

Limitations:  

• Over 1M Illinoisans affected vs. $10M budget (~$26/person if distributed equally) 
• 5-year minimum may deter some from self-excluding who need shorter periods 
• Treatment not Medicaid-covered, limiting low-income access 
• In-person enrollment requirement creates barriers (rural, transportation, mobility) 
• Casino credit still permitted if “commercially reasonable” 
• Self-exclusion relies on voluntary action by individuals with impaired judgment 
• Generic services may not address community-specific disparate impacts 

Illinois shows that even multi-faceted frameworks face challenges when problem gambling prevalence is high relative to resources and when voluntary systems require individuals with judgment impairments to initiate protections. 

Strengthen Your Responsible Gaming Program with Comm100

Discover how Comm100’s AI-powered platform streamlines compliance, automates player protection workflows, and delivers safer, more consistent support across every channel.

Request a demo today

Request Demo