TLDR
- The Illinois Gaming Board has proposed adding 50,141 video gaming terminals to the state’s self-exclusion program.
- People could enroll through identity checks at video gaming redemption terminals.
- The rule also sets up cashless player accounts with KYC and anti-money laundering checks.
- Illinois has 8,800 licensed video gaming locations, with more than $2.9 billion wagered in September.
- The proposal now goes to a state legislative committee for approval before it can take effect.
The Illinois Gaming Board has proposed new rules that would bring video gaming terminals into the state’s self-exclusion program. The plan covers 50,141 machines across Illinois.
Self-exclusion lets people with gambling problems ban themselves from betting. Right now, the Illinois program covers casinos, sportsbooks and fantasy sports contests.
The board approved the proposed rule on Thursday. It still needs another round of approval before it can take effect.
How the Self-Exclusion Plan Would Work
Under the proposal, people could sign up for self-exclusion at the redemption terminals linked to video gaming machines. They would enroll by verifying their identity at those terminals.
“Integrating Illinois video gaming into the existing self-exclusion program is a gaming integrity and public health priority for the IGB,” said Marcus Fruchter, the board’s administrator.
Fruchter said nothing like this has been done at the size and scale of the Illinois video gaming market. He described it as the largest video gaming network of its kind in the world.
The state has 8,800 licensed locations with video gaming terminals. Players wagered more than $2.9 billion on the machines in September, according to the board.
Fruchter said the rule would bring video gaming’s problem gambling protections in line with those already used for casinos and sports betting. He added that it would “set clear guardrails as the video gaming industry moves toward digital payments.”
Cashless Wagering and Player Accounts
The proposal also creates a framework for video gaming player accounts. These accounts would support cashless wagering and responsible gambling limits.
Terminal operators could choose whether to offer cashless play. They could also offer player rewards through individual patron accounts.
The accounts would be funded through approved payment methods. Players would need to pass age and identity checks.
The accounts would also follow privacy and security controls. They would be subject to Know Your Customer and anti-money laundering requirements.
“Every video gaming player account must also allow patrons to set their own responsible gaming limits,” the board said.
The board said the proposal is part of an ongoing effort to update and strengthen its self-exclusion program. That effort was discussed at its meeting last month.
In September, the four-member board made two decisions. It revised the program’s rules to create tiered enrollment periods and a 12-month marketing exclusion list for people leaving the program.
The board also passed a resolution stating that video gaming should be part of the self-exclusion program. It directed staff to take the needed steps, including drafting the rule approved on Thursday.
The proposed rule now goes to the Illinois General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. The committee must approve it before the changes can take effect.
