TLDR
- Puerto Rico’s gaming regulator announced it will join the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Programme (NVSEP) starting June 2026
- The program lets residents ban themselves from multiple gambling operators through a single online application
- NVSEP is already active in eight US states including California, Michigan, Colorado and Louisiana
- The platform was built by tech firm idPair, which manages cross-jurisdictional exclusion lists
- Self-exclusion programs are growing worldwide, with Brazil and Portugal recently launching or updating their own systems
Puerto Rico’s gaming regulator announced on Tuesday that the island will join the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Programme. The move brings a centralized self-exclusion system to Puerto Rico’s expanding gambling market.
The Comisión de Juegos del Gobierno de Puerto Rico said the integration is set to begin in June. It will allow residents to voluntarily bar themselves from multiple licensed gambling operators through one online application.
What Is the NVSEP?
The National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Programme launched in 2024 as a cross-state platform for US operators and regulators. It is currently active in California, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and Louisiana.
Puerto Rico will be the next to join. Massachusetts is also expected to follow later this year.
Before the program existed, self-exclusion was fragmented. Players had to file separate requests with each individual operator or jurisdiction.
That process caused confusion and kept many people from signing up. The centralized system fixes that by combining enrollment and compliance into one process.
Through NVSEP, players can restrict their access to casino venues, sports betting websites and other regulated gaming services. They only need to submit one application.
Puerto Rico’s Growing Gambling Sector
Puerto Rico has seen steady growth in its regulated gaming industry. The island now has land-based casinos, regulated sports betting and other licensed gambling operations.
Juan Carlos Santaella Marchán, executive director of the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission, said the move supports the island’s public policy goals. He said the commission wants to maintain a safe and highly regulated gaming industry grounded in responsible gaming practices.
He added that the goal has always been to provide accessible tools and resources for anyone seeking support with gambling-related issues. The initiative also aligns with ongoing educational campaigns about responsible gaming.
The platform behind NVSEP was developed by idPair, a technology company that specializes in cross-jurisdictional exclusion lists. CEO Jonathan Aiwazian said the platform will simplify self-exclusion for individuals while streamlining processes for operators.
idPair’s technology allows data sharing between jurisdictions. This helps regulators coordinate enforcement and helps operators manage compliance.
Self-exclusion programs have been gaining ground internationally. Brazil launched its own program at the end of last year as part of the SPA’s 2025-26 regulatory agenda.
Portugal also recently updated and centralized its self-exclusion portal to improve ease of use. Digital systems like NVSEP are becoming preferred because they cut down on paperwork and eliminate the need for multiple registrations.
The Puerto Rico Gaming Commission described the integration as a step toward modernizing its regulatory oversight. Operators already using idPair’s services elsewhere can easily integrate NVSEP data.
Other operators may need to opt in to receive and implement self-exclusion information as part of their compliance requirements.
The commission did not disclose how many operators have committed to participate when the program launches in June.
