Will a National Self‑Exclusion System Reduce Problem Gambling in America?
As legal betting continues to spread nationwide, problem gambling in the U.S. is on the rise. One option that could help combat the problem is a gambling self-exclusion system, which limits and blocks access. Is it the answer to gambling addiction or just compliance window dressing?
Key Insights
- The stateside gambling boom has triggered rising concerns about problem gambling in the U.S. and inconsistent protection across states.
- Other countries, notably the UK, have demonstrated that online gambling self-exclusion systems can be effective if implemented uniformly and handled sensitively.
- A national gambling self-ban system could help reduce impulse betting. However, it faces regulatory, privacy, jurisdictional, and political hurdles.
The Rise of Problem Gambling in the U.S.
In a post-PASPA U.S., much of the talk has been on the subject of how to combat the effects of problem gambling. While it has undoubtedly opened up the gambling market in the US to millions who were previously denied the opportunity, it has also led to a surge in sports betting addiction and overdependence on online casinos.
Today, more than 35 states have legalized betting, including online casinos, mobile sportsbooks, and digital lotteries. While the growth has fuelled record tax revenues, it comes at a human cost. Thanks to 24/7 online access to gambling, the risk of addiction has never been greater.
One tool in the anti-addiction armory is self-exclusion. However, these programs are fragmented and inconsistent; a player who self-bans in New Jersey can still gamble freely in Nevada or at offshore casinos.
The big question is, can a national gambling self-exclusion system provide protection, or is it just a performative paper tiger paying lip service to the regulators?
[PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) was a federal law that banned sports betting nationwide. In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that PASPA violated the 10th Amendment because it prevented states from making decisions on the legality of gambling.]
What Is a Gambling Self-Exclusion System?
A gambling self-exclusion system is a voluntary program that allows individuals to restrict their ability or ban themselves completely from gambling. For players battling impulsive gambling habits or loss of control, it removes access to gambling before the urge takes over.
In the UK, players register their details with a self-exclusion gambling scheme such as SENSE. This then blocks access to gambling platforms, operators, and venues. The terms of the block depend on the user and operator. It could be a temporary cooling-off period or a permanent ban.
Once committed, self-excluded users are prevented from opening new accounts, will not receive any marketing materials, and are barred from entering physical casinos.
Existing Problem Gambling Initiatives in the U.S.
There is no single nationwide system for self-exclusion from gambling in the U.S. However, there are several state self-exclusion programs and responsible gaming programs.
Most of these initiatives are coordinated by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), which advocates for funding, education, and a consistent approach to problem gambling in the USA.
At the state level, there are several self-exclusion programs available:
- The New Jersey Self-Exclusion Program offers both online and in-person bans, supported by ID checks and operator compliance.
- Self-Exclusion in Pennsylvania is one of the country’s most comprehensive schemes, with separate lists for casinos, online gambling, video gaming terminals, and fantasy contests.
- The Michigan Gaming Control Board takes responsible gaming seriously. It provides a list of disassociated persons, which excludes problem gamblers from Detroit’s commercial casinos.
What Do State Problem Gambling Initiatives Offer?
Although state gambling control boards do have the power to initiate responsible gambling programs, they cannot do it alone. Operators are also required to provide responsible gambling tools.
The provision of these tools is written into state law and gaming commission regulations, which means that failure to implement and promote them could lead to a fine or license suspension.
Responsible gambling tools include:
- Deposit limits (daily, weekly, monthly)
- Time limits and session reminders
- Time-outs or cooling-off periods
- Permanent self-exclusion options
- Removal from marketing lists
- Access to account history (for transparency on spend and play time)
- Visible responsible gambling messaging and links to helplines or support services
Treatment and support are also crucial components. Players can access the national 1-800-GAMBLER helpline, as well as state-funded counseling services and digital resources via the NCPG.
How the UK Handles Gambling Self-Exclusion
The UK’s long history of legal betting on sports and casinos has shaped a robust approach to problem gambling. They serve as a model of how coordination and centralization can be effective.
The largest single initiative in the UK is GAMSTOP. This is a national online self-exclusion system for gambling that covers all UK-licensed betting sites and casinos. Players self-register and are automatically blocked from playing at participating operator sites for a chosen period: six months, one year, or five years with auto-renewal.
For land-based venues, the Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme (MOSES) serves a similar function. Players can exclude themselves from high-street bookmakers in a single, straightforward process.
These systems are part of an extensive suite of free multi-operator self-exclusion schemes, which also include:
- SENSE (Self Enrolment National Self Exclusion) – offers self-exclusion from all licensed land-based casinos in Great Britain.
- BISES (Bingo Industry Self-Exclusion Scheme) – offers self-exclusion from all licensed land-based bingo premises across Great Britain.
- BACTA (British Amusement Catering Trade Association) – offers exclusion from high-street arcades, gaming centers, and motorway service areas.
- SmartEXCLUSION – enables self-exclusion from high street bingo and adult gaming centers.
The UK also leads in bank-level gambling blocks, with digital banks like Monzo and Starling allowing customers to restrict gambling transactions directly from their accounts.
Further harm reduction measures include restrictions on advertising during live sporting events, as well as a mandatory display of national help services across licensed platforms.
Would a National U.S. Self-Exclusion System Work?
PASPA was repealed because it stopped states from making independent decisions about gambling. A federal self-exclusion scheme may face similar constitutional challenges.
A nationwide gambling self-exclusion system sounds simple in theory. In practice, it’s far more complicated. As problem gambling in the U.S. continues to grow, the idea will gain traction among advocates who believe it could provide consistent protection in a fragmented landscape.
Potential benefits
A unified system makes it easier for vulnerable players to opt out of gambling everywhere, from local casinos to online sportsbooks. It would close the loopholes that allow people to self-exclude in one state but gamble in another.
Recognized challenges
The U.S. regulatory environment is a maze of state-specific gambling laws. There is no federal gaming authority. The closest entity to a regulator is the Department of Justice, which enforces federal gambling laws, such as the Wire Act.
Implementing a national self-exclusion program would require cooperation among state regulators, tribal gaming commissions, and private operators, each with its own unique concerns.
Privacy is another sticking point. Many players might hesitate to share personal data with a national registry, fearing misuse.
A 2025 survey by the Partnership for Public Service found that only 33% of Americans trust the federal government, compared to 47% who said they don’t.
There’s also the challenge of enforcement: ensuring every licensed (and unlicensed) operator abides by the same rules. Some experts suggest that a federal gambling self-exclusion registry could be developed in conjunction with existing ID verification systems. However, without national political will, it is unlikely to be implemented anytime soon.
Self-Exclusion Policy Momentum & Key Advocates
That said, momentum for a national gambling self-exclusion system is slowly building in Washington, with two major federal proposals in the pipeline.
First up is the SAFE Bet Act (Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet), introduced by Rep. Paul Tonko and Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
This legislation seeks to set minimum national standards for sports betting. It would also establish a federal self-exclusion registry, restrict gambling advertising, implement affordability checks, and prohibit the use of credit cards for gambling deposits.
Complementing it is the reintroduction of the GRIT Act (Gambling Addiction Recovery, Investment, and Treatment). This act would allocate federal betting tax revenue to addiction treatment, research, and prevention.
Together, the two bills represent the most significant federal effort yet to address problem gambling in the US; one focused on structure, the other on support. The idea of a nationwide gambling self-exclusion system is logical, sensible, helpful, and sound. It offers vulnerable players a rational way to curb, moderate, and control potentially problematic gambling.
Possible Opposition
The American Gaming Association (AGA) and several state regulators prefer self-governance – citing states’ rights and privacy concerns. With fewer than a third of Americans expressing strong trust in the federal government, any move toward centralization will need careful handling to gain public confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: A gambling self-exclusion system allows individuals to voluntarily ban themselves from casinos, sportsbooks, or online gambling platforms.
A: Players sign up to exclude themselves from specific gambling sites or venues for a set period, ranging from a few months to permanent exclusion. Operators must then block access, freeze accounts, and stop sending marketing materials.
A: Not yet. The U.S. doesn’t have a national gambling self-exclusion program, so self-exclusion only applies to the state or operator where it’s registered.
A: Not yet. However, proposed laws like the SAFE Bet Act would create a federal self-exclusion list for sports betting. Currently, each state sets its own rules.
A: When well-managed and supported by ID verification, self-exclusion gambling programs are effective.
A: Yes – every state sets its own self-exclusion gambling policies, including how long bans last and whether they cover land-based or online play. It’s up to the individual to determine the parameters.
References
- Home – National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPGambling)
- Self Exclusion Program – New Jersey Office of Attorney General (NJOAG)
- Self-Exclusion – Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (ResponsiblePlay.pa)
- Responsible Gaming (Michigan Gaming Control Board)
- Control your gambling (GamStop)
- Multi Operator Self Exclusion Scheme (GamStop Betting Shops )
- How to exclude yourself from gambling in British casinos (SENSE)
- Bingo Industry Self-Exclusion Scheme (BISES) (Bingo Association)
- Safer Gambling in the UK (Bacta.org)
- SmartEXCLUSION (IHL Hub)
- The State of Public Trust in Government 2025 (Partnership for Public Service)
- H.R.2087 – 119th Congress (2025-2026): SAFE Bet Act of 2025 (Congress.gov)
- National Council on Problem Gambling Supports Reintroduction of GRIT Act to Address Gambling Addiction (NCPGambling)
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