Illinois Gaming Board Moves to Bring Video Gaming Terminals Under Self-Exclusion Program
Illinois is moving to close the biggest gap in its problem gambling safety net. The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) on Thursday, October 22, unanimously approved a proposed rule that would add video gaming to the state’s voluntary Self-Exclusion Program, covering a network of roughly 50,000 terminals spread across gas stations, bars, hair salons and hotel lobbies statewide.
Today, people enrolled in the program can bar themselves from Illinois casinos, sports wagering and fantasy contests, but not from video gaming terminals. According to the IGB’s announcement, the new rule would enforce exclusions through identity verification at video gaming redemption terminals and set up a framework for player accounts, cashless wagering and responsible gaming limits.
“Integrating Illinois video gaming into the existing Self-Exclusion Program is a gaming integrity and public health priority for the IGB,” said IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter. “Nothing like this has been implemented at the size and scale of the Illinois video gaming market, which is the largest video gaming network of its kind in the world.”
No more cash straight into the machine
The proposal changes how players fund a session. As Capitol News Illinois reported, terminals would stop accepting cash directly. Instead, players would buy vouchers at a payout device, either with cash or through a digital video gaming account. Both routes require identity checks confirming the player is at least 21 and not on the self-exclusion list.
Accounts would be optional, and players could keep using cash at the redemption terminal once verified. Terminal operators that choose to offer cashless play and player rewards would need to fund accounts through approved payment methods and apply age and identity verification, privacy and security controls, plus know-your-customer and anti-money laundering checks. Every account must let patrons set their own responsible gaming limits, and operators must keep self-excluded players from opening accounts and stop sending them promotional material.
Part of a wider self-exclusion overhaul
The vote builds on two steps the board took in September. It revised program rules to introduce tiered enrollment durations, widen enrollment channels and create a voluntary 12-month Marketing Exclusion List for people leaving the program. It also adopted a resolution making it IGB policy to bring video gaming into the program, directing staff to prepare the rulemaking approved this week.
Other states have tackled self-exclusion gaps in different ways. Michigan, for example, partnered with Gamban to offer blocking tools beyond its own exclusion list, while Pennsylvania lawmakers have debated how to bring skill games under a VGT-style framework.
Technology and timing
The rule now heads to the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) for approval before it can take effect, and the IGB is inviting public comment. Capitol News Illinois noted that the review typically takes six months to a year.
The main hurdle has been upgrading the state’s terminals to connect with the self-exclusion list while protecting player data. The IGB has contracted LNW Gaming for that work, and Fruchter told Capitol News Illinois he was confident it would be ready to deploy next year.
The financial stakes are significant. Video gaming is Illinois’ highest-grossing source of wagering revenue, producing over $1 billion for state and local governments in tax revenue in the last fiscal year, according to Capitol News Illinois. The outlet also cited a six-month case study by Las Vegas-based Acres Manufacturing which found cashless players bought 92% more credits per session than cash players. Fruchter said the board wants to explore that issue further during the public comment period.
Other business at the October meeting
The board also approved proposed amendments to rules for casino employees in non-gaming roles, which will go through the same JCAR process. It accepted Hollywood Casino Aurora’s request for initial consideration of its owners license renewal, with a final decision expected at the next meeting on December 10, 2026. Among routine approvals, the IGB issued 81 video gaming establishment licenses and 234 Level 2 sports wagering occupational licenses.
Illinois currently has 17 casinos, 14 active and approved sportsbooks and nearly 9,000 licensed video gaming establishments. Anyone affected by problem gambling can reach the Illinois Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.
Players trust our reporting due to our commitment to unbiased and professional evaluations of the iGaming sector. We track hundreds of platforms and industry updates daily to ensure our news feed and leaderboards reflect the most recent market shifts. With nearly two decades of experience within iGaming, our team provides a wealth of expert knowledge. This long-standing expertise enables us to deliver thorough, reliable news and guidance to our readers.
Latest News
