Illinois Gambling Self-exclusion List

The lack of recent posting is due to my neglect and not to any slowdown of developments in the fast-paced world of exclusion and other commitment devices. One neglected article from last October contained some interesting information about the state-wide casino self-exclusion program right here in Illinois. Here are three tidbits:

• Illinois Gambling Self-exclusion List Crawler
• Illinois Gambling Self-exclusion List By Name
• Illinois Gambling Self-exclusion List 2020

• Illinois legislators could require the board to implement a self-exclusion list — and provide funding to study the issue — but have made no move to do so. Gamblers on the casino self-exclusion lists and clinicians said the lack of one for video gambling has added obstacles to their recovery.
• As Illinois has expanded its gambling options in recent years, it has also taken steps to combat problem gambling. One of the most important tools available to players is a self-exclusion list.

(1) 'Harrah’s employees receive a $500 reward if they catch one of theindividuals from that [self-exclusion] database in their casino.'

Regarding casinos, 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., Boyd Gaming Inc and Penn National Gaming Inc. Caesar's Entertainment is the largest casino company in the world and owns casinos.

(2) There are over 8,500 people on the Illinois self-exclusion list, which dates to 2002. Since that time, over 1,700 arrests have been made, presumably for excluded gamblers trespassing on casino property.
(3) The Illinois exclusion program involves a duration of five years, but reinstatement as an eligible gambler requires that a counselor provide an affidavit indicating that the individual is capable of controlled gambling. 'More than 30 self-excluders have attempted to be removedfrom the list, the gaming board says. However, none of them have been able toprovide sufficient evidence...' Wow.
Thanks to the author of the article, John Solymossy, for digging a little deeper than often is the case.
Update: The FAQ section of the Illinois Gaming Board's Self-Exclusion website gives a slightly different interpretation on reinstatement. Here it is:
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.

Illinois Gambling Self-exclusion List Crawler

• 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.

Section 3000.750 Establishment of a Self-Exclusion List

a) Any person who acknowledges that he or she has a gambling problem may request of the Board that he or she be excluded voluntarily from the area within the admission turnstiles of all riverboat gaming operations in Illinois on a permanent basis, except as limited by Section 3000.780. A person shall be placed on the Self-Exclusion List upon submission of all information and completion and execution of all forms required under Section 3000.755, as enforced by the Administrator.

b) Any person placed on the Self-Exclusion List shall be prohibited for a minimum of 5 years from entering the area within the admission turnstiles of any riverboat gaming operation in the State of Illinois. Any gaming operation in the United States owned or operated by an affiliate of an Illinois riverboat gaming operation may, in its sole discretion, prohibit a person placed on the Self-Exclusion List from entering its affiliated gaming operations. Any gaming regulatory agency in any state with which the Board enters into an agreement to share confidentially the information contained in the Self-Exclusion List may, in its sole discretion, prohibit a person placed on the Self-Exclusion List from entering any gaming operation within its jurisdiction.

Illinois Gambling Self-exclusion List By Name

c) The Administrator shall maintain the Self-Exclusion List in a confidential manner.

Illinois Gambling Self-exclusion List 2020

(Source: Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 8098, effective June 14, 2007)