Self-excluded people in Illinois will be barred from video gaming machines

Illinois has moved to close gaps in its response to gambling addiction. As part of the state's effort to fight gambling addiction, video gaming terminals that remain accessible to people who have voluntarily excluded themselves from gambling are the focus of the new regulation. In a state with the largest video gambling terminal network in the world, these machines had not been covered by self-exclusion until now.

The Illinois Gaming Board has proposed new rules covering roughly 50,000 machines. Board administrator Marcus Fruchter said this step is a critical one for truly protecting players. The board describes the regulation as a public health priority.

Under the proposed rules, the machines would no longer accept cash. Players would buy vouchers through a dedicated device and pay with cash or digital payment. At this stage, identity verification would take place, checking that the player is 21, the legal minimum age, and is not on the exclusion list. Using a video gaming account would also be possible, but only after identity verification has been completed.

Operators will be required to let account holders set responsible gaming limits and to ensure that self-excluded people cannot open an account. Similar efforts had previously failed because of technical problems. Officials say the necessary technology now exists and that tens of thousands of machines can be brought into compliance with the new rules.