The Illinois Senate Executive Committee approved Senate Bill 2749, which proposes adding gambling disorder to the state’s Substance Abuse Disorder Act. The proposal would assign prevention and treatment coordination to the Department of Human Services and provide for a hotline and counselling website.
If enacted, the bill would expand state prevention and support services for people affected by gambling disorder.
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The Illinois Gaming Board proposed rules to extend self-exclusion checks to the state’s nearly 50,000 video gaming terminals, according to the report. The proposed system would require players to verify their identity when obtaining vouchers or opening an account, and operators would need to offer account holders responsible-gambling limits, including self-exclusion.
The Illinois Gaming Board put forward new rules on Thursday, a news report said. Those rules are meant to extend self-exclusion prerequisites to nearly 50,000 machines across the state. The report said the state's video gambling terminals form the largest such network in the world, and self-exclusion does not currently apply to it.
Illinois has proposed identity checks for video gambling machine voucher purchases, according to the headline and feed snippet. The proposal would stop machines from accepting cash directly and require checks of purchasers’ age and self-exclusion status.
Illinois casinos generated September revenue of $178.2m, a year-on-year increase of 12.7%, citing IGB figures. Slots contributed $134.6m, rising 12.4%, while table games brought in $43.6m, increasing 13.8%. Rivers Casino recorded the largest revenue total at $44.1m.
Reportedly, Illinois’ IGB proposes barring operators from directing marketing at former self-excluded gamblers for at least 12 months after their exclusion ends. The proposed changes would also extend the voluntary self-exclusion programme to video gaming terminals.
The IGB voted unanimously on 3 September to advance three rule changes. The package would prevent casino and sportsbook marketing to people for at least 12 months after they complete self-exclusion. It also proposes shorter exclusion periods and additional enrolment routes, with an online portal subject to further legislative review.