Illinois Gaming Board Moves to Extend Marketing Restrictions on Formerly Self-Excluded Persons
The IGB has recommended enhancements to its voluntary SEP designed to strengthen problem gambling protections including bringing VGTs into the self-exclusion scheme and creating a Marketing Exclusion List. The list would extend the current prohibition on targeted marketing for a default period of 12 months beyond their exclusion term. The proposals are expected to be adopted sometime next year.
SCCG Take — Regulators are tightening post-exclusion safeguards in a high-revenue market, forcing operators to update compliance systems before expected 2027 adoption.
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has recommended enhancements to the state’s voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (SEP) to strengthen problem gambling protections. These include bringing video gaming terminals (VGTs) into the self-exclusion framework and creating a Marketing Exclusion List.
The list would extend the current prohibition on targeted marketing for a default period of 12 months beyond a person’s exclusion term. It would restrict marketing that licensees may direct at former participants but would not bar them from public promotions available to all customers.
“Modernization and expansion of the SEP must keep pace with the evolution of Illinois gaming in a thoughtful and intentional manner,” said IGB Administrator Marcus Fruchter. “The IGB is committed to ensuring that the SEP continues to evolve, expands coverage, serves the needs of program participants, and best supports people in their treatment and recovery journeys without barriers and stigma.”
The proposals have been forwarded to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules to begin the public rulemaking process. They are expected to be adopted sometime next year, according to Casino.org News.
Alignment With Responsible Gaming Education Month
The IGB recommendations arrive as the American Gaming Association (AGA) conducts its annual Responsible Gaming Education Month. The AGA stated that a thriving gaming industry is built on a foundation of responsibility and that its success depends on responsible, educated players.
Most commercial gaming states dedicate a portion of their gaming taxes to responsible gaming programs. Gambling taxes created almost $100 million for problem gambling services in 2025 alone.
Through August, Illinois gamblers lost more than $1.44 billion at the state’s 17 casinos. Sports bettors lost over $1 billion through June. VGT players lost almost $2 billion through July across 8,726 licensed establishments.
Path to Adoption and Extended Protections
The rulemaking process will determine the final form of these SEP updates. Adoption would require operators to maintain updated lists and adjust targeted marketing practices for the 12-month period after exclusions end.
Reporting: Casino.org News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Illinois is tightening responsible gaming guardrails with extended marketing bans—operators must adapt compliance infrastructure before 2027 adoption.
We've worked in every regulated US market, and Illinois is signaling where the compliance bar is heading nationwide. Extended post-exclusion marketing restrictions and VGT inclusion aren't just policy tweaks—they're operational overhauls. Operators need clean data hygiene, updated CRM workflows, and cross-channel compliance protocols now, not when the rules go live.
- 12-month default marketing ban for formerly self-excluded players after exclusion ends
- Video gaming terminals brought into self-exclusion framework for first time
- Rulemaking underway; expected adoption in 2027
SCCG angle: SCCG connects operators to compliance tech specialists, responsible gaming consultants, and CRM vendors who've built post-exclusion suppression systems in other markets. We help you retrofit infrastructure before Illinois rules finalize, avoiding scrambles and penalties. We've done this across 30+ jurisdictions.
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