Voluntary Self-Exclusion: A Potentially Powerful And Very Imperfect Tool to Combat Problem Gambling
Voluntary self-exclusion programs are confidential and designed to help the gambler. When you self-exclude, you are typically legally banned from gambling in participating venues for a chosen period (often 1 year, 5 years, or for life). If you violate a self-exclusion, you may be trespassed and even forfeit any winnings – reinforcing the commitment. Crucially, this is done at the gambler’s request, not because the casino doesn’t want them. Despite their good intentions and some success, self-exclusion programs in the U.S. face several structural challenges. Below we outline the major issues hindering their effectiveness.
Structural Challenges in U.S. Self-Exclusion Programs
No National Self-Exclusion Registry: One major gap is the lack of a single, nationwide self-exclusion list. Each state (and often each gambling sector within a state) maintains its own self-exclusion roster, and they usually do not share data with one another. If you self-exclude in one state, that status typically ends at the state line. There have been efforts to create a national registry, but none have succeeded yet. In 2023, federal lawmakers unsuccessfully proposed establishing a nationwide “Self-Exclusion List” that all gambling operators must check. The obstacles are partly legal – gambling is regulated at the state level – and partly logistical, as states have different program terms and privacy rules. Encouragingly, a new initiative called the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (NVSEP) has emerged. However, the program currently includes only 4 states and is subject to the limitations of each state’s program..
Bypassing State Bans by Traveling: Because there is no national system, a person on a self-exclusion list in one state can easily gamble in a different state. For instance, someone who has self-excluded from all casinos in, say, Missouri could drive to a casino in a neighboring state like Iowa or hop on a plane to Nevada or New Jersey and not be recognized as excluded there.
Information Is Hard to Find: Ironically, even though self-exclusion is meant to help people, the information on how to self-exclude is often not user-friendly. Many state gambling commission websites provide minimal instructions or bury the details in legalese. In some cases, the process isn’t explained on an official site at all – one must contact a separate problem gambling council or find a PDF form that isn’t well-publicized.
Burdensome Enrollment Processes: Unfortunately, signing up for self-exclusion can be a daunting task in some places. It often involves paperwork and even in-person appearances that can deter people from following through. For example, in New York, to join the self-exclusion list you must either show up in person at a gaming facility or submit a notarized form with a passport-style photo by mail. Louisiana requires individuals to appear in person at a State Police office and fill out forms in front of an agent. New Mexico’s program similarly “requires in-person registration with an appointment.” On the bright side, a few states have modernized enrollment: New Jersey offers fully digital enrollment through a secure online portal, and states like Pennsylvania and Missouri now allow online application for at least some forms of gambling self-exclusion.
Partial and Inconsistent Coverage: Even if you manage to get on a self-exclusion list, it may not cover all types of gambling within the same state. In the U.S., different forms of gambling (casinos, lotteries, sports betting, online gambling, etc.) are often regulated by different entities. As a result, self-exclusion can be piecemeal. Some programs only apply to certain gambling venues or products. For example, Delaware has casinos and online betting, but at this time the state’s official self-exclusion is only for the lottery. Massachusetts allows individuals to ban themselves from casinos (and now online sports betting) – but that “does not exclude you from playing the lottery”
State-by-State Gambling and Self-Exclusion Summary
The table below outlines, for each U.S. state where some form of gambling is legal: (1) what types of gambling are allowed, (2) whether a voluntary self-exclusion program exists, and (3) how one can enroll in the program (application process). Keep in mind that “casinos” may include commercial or tribal casinos, “sports betting” can be retail or online, and “lottery” includes state lotteries and similar games. States without any legal gambling (Utah and Hawaii) are omitted since self-exclusion is not applicable there.
Alabama
Tribal casinos (3). No lottery or sports betting.
No state program .
Alaska
Tribal casinos, No state lottery or sports.
No state program.
Arizona
Tribal casinos; state lottery; sports betting.
Yes – Statewide for all tribal casinos. In person or notarized mail to AZ Dept. of Gaming. Duration chosen by patron (cannot revoke early).
Arkansas
2 casinos (state-licensed); lottery; sports betting.
No central program.
California
Tribal casinos; cardrooms; lottery; horse racing.
Partial – State list for cardrooms only (tribal casinos run their own). State list: Apply via CA Dept. of Justice (accessible to gaming officials). For tribal casinos: must request exclusion at each tribal casino
Colorado
Commercial casinos; lottery; sports betting.
Yes – Statewide casino self-exclusion. Download form from Gaming Commission and mail it. (List is then distributed to all CO casinos).
Connecticut
Tribal casinos; lottery; sports betting (online and retail); online casino (tribal).
Yes – Unified program for casinos and online gambling. Online or In Person: Sign up via the CT self-exclusion portal (administered by regulator). Covers digital and brick-and-mortar, though sharing between some entities has faced difficulties.
Delaware
Commercial casinos (3) – with slots, table games; state lottery; online casino/poker; sports betting (parlay & NFL).
Partial – Lottery-only official program Lottery: Online form for Delaware Lottery self-exclusion.
Florida
Tribal casinos (Seminole); racetrack casinos (Miami/Broward slots); lottery; (sports betting pending).
No state program.
Georgia
No casinos (except a gambling cruise ship); lottery; charitable bingo/raffles.
Yes (limited) – Lottery online account self-exclusion. Online: Through the GA Lottery “iHOPE” account settings, players can self-exclude from online lottery sales for 3–12 months (Does not ban in-person lottery purchases.)
Idaho
Tribal casinos; lottery. No sports betting.
No state program.
Illinois
Commercial casinos; video gambling terminals (in bars); lottery; sports betting.
Yes – Voluntary self-exclusion and Problem Gambling Registry (two options) In Person: Must enroll at a casino or Illinois Gaming Board office (form is witnessed) Covers casinos, video gambling, and sports bettingi. (No obligation on casinos to stop entry; self-excluder responsible for staying out.)
Indiana
Commercial casinos (incl. racinos); lottery; sports betting.
Yes – State Voluntary Exclusion Program (VEP).. n Person: Sign up at any casino, the Gaming Commission office, or with approved counselor. Must fill out form in presence of gaming agenti. Terms available: 1 year, 5 years, or lifetime.
Iowa
Commercial casinos; tribal casinos; lottery; sports betting.
Yes – State Racing & Gaming Commission program.. Online/In Person: Iowa maintains a state self-exclusion list for casinos (enroll via commission website or at a casino). Casinos also honor their own exclusions. Typically 5-year or lifetime terms.
Kansas
Commercial casinos (4 state-owned); lottery; sports betting.
Yes – Kansas Responsible Gambling program.. Form Submission: Submit self-exclusion request to the Kansas Racing & Gaming Commission. Exclusion is statewide for casinos; self-excluded individuals are removed from marketing and cannot cash checks. Minimum 2-year ban before one can apply for removal.
Kentucky
No casinos; lottery; horse racing; sports betting (launched 2023).
Partial – Lottery-only self-exclusion.. Online: Kentucky Lottery offers an online self-exclusion for its iLottery games.
Louisiana
Commercial casinos (riverboats & land-based); tribal casinos; lottery; sports betting.
Yes – State Police Gaming Division program (casinos). In Person: Must “appear in person” at a State Police Gaming Enforcement office to sign the self-exclusion form in front of an agent. Once on the list, banned from all state-regulated casinos. (Terms typically 1, 5, or 10 years or lifetime.)
Maine
Commercial casinos (2); lottery; (sports betting law passed, implementation pending).
Yes – State Gambling Control Board program. Mail/In Person: Submit a self-exclusion form to the Gambling Control Board. Forms can be mailed; information is kept confidential. Likely will cover new sports betting once operational.
Maryland
Commercial casinos (6); lottery; sports betting; horse racing; charitable gaming.
Yes – Comprehensive exclusion (casinos, sports, bingo, fantasy sports). Online or Phone: Enroll via MD self-exclusion website (administered by Maryland Lottery & Gaming). The ban covers all Maryland casinos and sportsbook platforms.
Massachusetts
Commercial casinos (3); lottery; sports betting; horse racing.
Yes – GameSense Self-Exclusion (casino and online betting). Flexible: You can sign up remotely or in person through the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Can choose to exclude from casinos, online sports betting, or both. Lottery is not included in the ban. Terms: 1, 3, 5 years, or lifetime (lifetime only granted after completing a shorter term first).
Michigan
Commercial casinos (Detroit); tribal casinos; lottery; sports betting; online casino.
Yes – “Disassociated Persons” list (state-run for Detroit casinos). In Person/Mail: Enrollment available via Michigan Gaming Control Board (historically required in-person application at MGCB office or a casino). Now accepts mailed forms; a new online process may be in place. The list bars individuals from Detroit casinos for life or a set term (recently, 5-year exit options were introduced). (Tribal casinos in MI have separate exclusion programs.)
Minnesota
Tribal casinos (19); lottery. Sports betting not legal (as of 2025).
No state program (tribal only).
Mississippi
Commercial casinos (30); lottery (limited); sports betting (in casinos).
Yes – Statewide casino self-exclusion. In Person: Contact the Mississippi Gaming Commission. The MS program bans individuals from all state-licensed casinos for a minimum of 5 yearst (no shorter options). Must petition the Commission to be removed after the term; otherwise remains in effect for life.
Missouri
Commercial casinos (13); lottery; sports betting (not legal as of 2025).
Yes – Missouri “Disassociated Persons” program. Online or In Person: Missouri Gaming Commission allows online application for self-exclusion. Once approved, the individual is barred from all Missouri casinos. Initial exclusion period is lifetime, but Missouri now offers a process to regain entry after 5 years if requested.
Montana
Small casinos/slot rooms; lottery; sports betting (limited via lottery).
Partial – Lottery (and sports) self-exclusion. Mail/Email: Montana offers a self-exclusion via the Dept. of Administration to block oneself from lottery games and sports wagering productsi. No statewide casino exclusion (gambling in bars/casinos is not covered).
Nebraska
Tribal casinos; lottery; new racetrack casinos (being established); sports betting (at racetracks only).
Yes – State Racing & Gaming Commission program.. Form Submission: Fill out the voluntary self-exclusion form (available on NE Racing and Gaming Commission websitei) and submit as instructed (likely in person or notarized mail). Bans from the new commercial casinos and possibly tribal casinos that opt in. (Minimum duration often 1 year or more.)
Nevada
Commercial casinos (441 statewide); sports betting; poker; no state lottery.
No state program.
New Hampshire
No commercial casinos (only small charity casinos); lottery; sports betting (online via lottery partner); charitable gaming.
No state program (aside from lottery). The NH Lottery (which runs DraftKings Sportsbook) likely allows self-exclusion on the online platform, but there is no statewide registry. The NH Council for Responsible Gambling provides resourcesi.
New Jersey
Commercial casinos (Atlantic City); lottery; sports betting; online casino and poker.
Yes – Extensive program (AC casinos + online). Online or In Person: New Jersey offers one of the most advanced programs. You can enroll digitally through a state portal or at a gaming office. Minimum exclusion period is 1 year. You can choose to exclude from casino floors, online gambling, or both. Easy online reinstatement is available after the period.
New Mexico
Tribal casinos; lottery; limited sports betting (tribal only).
Yes – State Gaming Control Board program. In Person: Self-exclusion in NM requires scheduling an appointment and appearing in person to register. The exclusion list covers the state’s racetrack casinos and any tribe that voluntarily participates. (Most of NM’s 23 casinos are tribal-run.)
New York
Commercial casinos (4 upstate); tribal casinos; racetrack VLT casinos; lottery; sports betting (retail and mobile).
Yes – State Gaming Commission program. Mail or In Person: Submit a notarized form with photo to the NY Gaming Commission or complete in person at a casino. Covers all state-licensed casinos (commercial and racetrack VLTs) and extends to licensed mobile sports betting apps. (Lottery is not included.) Terms are 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or lifetime.
North Carolina
Tribal casinos (3); lottery. Sports betting legalized (starting in 2024).
No state program (tribal only).. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Catawba Nation casinos have their own self-exclusion programs (e.g. Two Kings Casino’s self-ban option), but there is no state-administered program yet.
North Dakota
Tribal casinos; lottery (limited to multi-state games); sports betting (limited, via tribes or charity).
No state program,
Ohio
Commercial casinos & racinos (11); lottery; sports betting.
Yes – Voluntary Exclusion Program (VEP). In Person: Must complete the VEP application in person at a casino or approved office. Ohio offers 1-year, 5-year, or lifetime exclusion options. Self-excluded persons are still allowed to work in casinos, but if they gamble, they forfeit winnings and can be charged with trespassing. Enforcement is primarily the individual’s responsibility.
Oklahoma
Tribal casinos (over 140); lottery. (Sports betting not legal as of 2025.)
Yes – Tribal-wide self-exclusion (many tribes). Online: The tribes in OK collaborated on a centralized exclusion list with over 11,000 participants – one of the largest in the country. Gamblers can enroll via the “Smart Play OK” website. Note: Not every tribe or casino may participate, but the majority do, meaning one signup can ban you from most OK Indian casinos.
Oregon
Tribal casinos (8); state lottery; sports betting (via lottery/DraftKings); horse racing; charitable gaming.
Partial – Lottery/Sports only. Online: The Oregon Lottery offers self-exclusion from lottery games and its sportsbook app. No state exclusion for tribal casinos (patrons must self-exclude with each tribe’s gaming commission if available).
Pennsylvania
Commercial casinos (14); lottery; sports betting; online casino and poker; video gaming terminals (truck stops); fantasy sports.
Yes – Comprehensive, with multiple lists. Online or In Person: Pennsylvania has 4 separate self-exclusion lists: for (1) casinos, (2) iGaming (online casino/poker), (3) video gaming terminals, and (4) fantasy contest sites. You can sign up for any or all via an online portal or at a Gaming Control Board office. Each list has 1-year, 5-year, or lifetime options. (PA publicly posts an involuntary exclusion list with 1,100+ names of banned cheaters, but the voluntary list is confidential.)
Rhode Island
Commercial casinos (2, both run by Bally’s); lottery; sports betting.
Yes – State Lottery program (casinos). By Phone: Rhode Island’s self-exclusion is handled through the Lottery’s Problem Gambling Services. Individuals must call to initiate the process and complete required forms (in-person assistance may follow). Not as simple as online sign-up. (Bally’s also maintains its own internal exclusion list of ~70 people.)
South Carolina
No land casinos (only 1 casino cruise ship); lottery; charitable gaming.
No state program.
South Dakota
Commercial casinos (Deadwood); tribal casinos; lottery (incl. video lottery machines); sports betting (Deadwood only).
No state program.
Tennessee
No casinos; lottery; sports betting (online only).
Yes (partial) – Sports betting only. Tennessee provides a self-exclusion portal for sports wagering, but in practice a user must exclude on each betting app. “Self-excluding from one site doesn’t ban you from all,” so you need to apply the opt-out on every licensed sportsbook you have an account with. No program for lottery (draw games) or DFS beyond what operators offer.
Texas
No casinos; lottery; horse & dog racing; charitable bingo. Sports betting not legal.
No state program.
Utah
No legal gambling (no lottery, casinos, etc.).
Vermont
Lottery; charitable gaming. No casinos; sports betting authorized 2023 (not yet operational).
No state program.
Virginia
Commercial casinos (just opened in 2022–23); lottery; sports betting; horse racing; charitable gaming.
Yes – Unified statewide program. Online: Virginia’s self-exclusion, run by the VA Lottery, allows individuals to “voluntarily exclude themselves from… certain legalized gambling in Virginia” across multiple regulators. One online form covers casino gaming, online sports betting, online lottery play, racetrack wagering, and charitable gaming. Available terms range from 1 year to 5 years or lifetime.
Washington
Tribal casinos (29); lottery; sports betting (only at tribal casinos); card room casinos (non-tribal).
Yes (partial) – Covers non-tribal card rooms statewide; tribes may opt in. Form Submission: The WA State Gambling Commission offers a single form to exclude from all licensed card rooms (non-tribal casinos) statewide. Tribal casinos can participate in this program voluntarily, but it’s optional. (So, many tribal casinos still maintain their own self-exclusion lists separately.) Sports betting in WA is all tribal, so it falls under each tribe’s policy.
Washington D.C.
Lottery; sports betting (Lottery’s Gambet and private sportsbooks). No casinos.
Yes – D.C. Lottery self-exclusion. Online: Via D.C. Lottery. Enrolling in D.C.’s program will exclude you from lottery games (including online iLottery) and from all D.C.-licensed sports betting platforms. (No casinos in D.C. to cover.)