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As of now, online casinos are not legal in Illinois. However, if they do become legal, which may happen in 2025, there will be added difficulties in promoting responsible gambling in the state.
Experience the excitement of a casino right from the comfort of your own home with online casinos. With just a few clicks, you can immerse yourself in a virtual blackjack table, roulette wheel, or a vast selection of slot machines.
The convenience of being able to access a casino from anywhere is a fun aspect of our technologically connected world, but it comes with a price. Having the ability to gamble at any location within the state increases the risk of developing a gambling addiction.
Additionally, the advertisements are ubiquitous and the games are vibrant and thrilling. Furthermore, there are promotions that offer cash rewards simply for registering.
As states have increased their gambling offerings, such as online casinos, they have also made a commitment to prioritize responsible gambling measures for players. These measures can range from simple reminders to take breaks every 15 minutes to enrolling in a self-exclusion program.
My own story about the value of taking a break
I have personal experience with the importance of responsible gambling when using online casinos, especially since I live in New Jersey where they are legal.
I was playing an online slot machine last year and was winning money when my screen froze and a notification appeared. It informed me that I had been playing for 15 minutes and recommended that I take a break. I stopped, closed the game, and was satisfied with my earnings.
Customers using gambling apps and websites can usually establish restrictions on their playing time, betting limits within a specific timeframe, and daily or weekly deposit amounts.
While each state varies in its approach to responsible gambling, some are more effective than others.
Addressing the problem
When politicians encounter a problem, their solution is to simply throw money at it.
The prevalence of problem gambling is increasing, with two million adults in the US experiencing severe gambling issues, as reported by the National Council on Problem Gaming. This number is projected to continue rising as gambling opportunities expand.
States benefit from tax revenue generated by online gambling and sports betting, but they also make efforts to address the addiction issues that have arisen as a result.
In 2021, forty-two states and the District of Columbia allocated public funds totaling $94 million to provide assistance to problem gamblers through helplines, counselors, and media advertisements in an effort to offer support.
Illinois ranks 11th in responsible gambling funding
Illinois ranked 11th in the US in 2021 for per capita public funds allocated to problem gambling services. The state spent $6.8 million on these services in fiscal year 2021, making it the fourth highest spender in the nation. These findings come from the 2021 Survey of Publicly Funded Problem Gambling Services in the United States, conducted by the National Association of Administrators for Disordered Gambling Services.
According to the survey, the per capita fund allocation in Illinois averaged 54 cents, which was higher than the national average of 40 cents.
In FY2021, the state’s Illinois Problem Gambling Helpline, a telephone and web resource, received a total of 573 calls for help, 179 texts, 139 chats, and had 16,900 website visits. The Department of Human Services funds local providers for prevention activities and conducts statewide public awareness campaigns like weknowthefeeling.org. There are numerous treatment and recovery resources available, with a total of 26 funded providers in FY2021. Six of these providers focused on outreach efforts while the remaining 20 offered various levels of treatment services to a total of 1,654 individuals.
Funding for Illinois problem gambling programs just 0.005% of tax revenue
However, the $6.8 million allocated by Illinois for responsible gambling programs only represents 0.005% of the $1.358 billion in tax revenue generated from gambling in FY2021.
Funding for responsible gambling programs continues to lag behind funding for other addiction programs.
In 2022, Keith Whyte, the executive director of the NCPG, informed Play Illinois that funding for problem gambling programs in 2021 was 230 times lower per capita compared to spending on substance abuse prevention.
I don’t believe many people would argue that the drug addiction field is excessively funded. Now, picture having 230 times less funding per capita to address it. Ironically, illegal drugs do not generate billions for the state economy, unlike gambling. Despite this, society struggles to allocate a fraction of gambling revenue towards prevention programs.
Whyte is advocating for 1% of the tax revenue generated from legalized gambling to be allocated towards responsible gambling programs. In Illinois, this would require doubling the current spending from $6.8 million to $13.58 million annually in order to achieve this goal.
Oregon, Massachusetts and Delaware spend the most per capita
In 2021, the top five states in per capita funding for problem gambling were:
- Oregon costs approximately $1.65 per person.
- Massachussetts — $1.45
- Delaware — $1.38
- Nebraska — $0.95
- Iowa — $0.94
The top leaders in total funding for problem gaming platforms in 2021 were:
- Massachusetts — $10,200,000
- California — $8,681,501
- Oregon — $7,034,955
- Illinois — $6,800,000
- Pennsylvania — $6,369,000
Massachusetts has introduced a unique program known as “PlayMyWay” that alerts gamblers when they have reached specific spending thresholds, much like the notification I received.
Oregon takes pride in offering a diverse range of support services for individuals struggling with their gambling habits.
The statistics may be inaccurate as many states combine problem gambling funding with other addiction programs, making it difficult to determine if the funds allocated are effectively assisting problem gamblers.
One national phone number to get help
If you have visited a licensed sportsbook or online casino website or application, you have likely noticed the RG (Responsible Gaming) logo displayed prominently on the screen. By clicking on this logo, you can access resources to help with any gambling-related issues, including a 24/7 helpline for support.
At first, helplines were limited to specific states, but now individuals in Illinois can seek counseling from professionals in Iowa.
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) runs the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network, which is accessible at 1-800-522-4700. This network serves as a centralized national resource for individuals seeking confidential assistance with a gambling addiction. Support is offered around the clock.
In June 2022, the NCPG reached a deal with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey to utilize their national helpline, 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537), for assistance.
Illinois Gaming Board offers registry system
States have also implemented a self-exclusion program.
In New Jersey, individuals have the option to voluntarily exclude themselves from either all retail casinos or all Internet gaming activities for a duration of one year or five years. This process involves providing personal information, including address and driver’s license number, which is stored in a database of casino licensees. If someone attempts to bypass the exclusion list and is caught, they will be removed from the premises and any winnings confiscated.
The Problem Gambler Registry System, established by the Illinois Gaming Board, prohibits enrolled residents from gambling at casinos or using online accounts. Participants are also removed from all casino mailing lists and marketing databases. The program is indefinite, with the possibility of removal after five years only through a sworn affidavit from a mental health professional affirming that the individual’s gambling behavior no longer poses a threat.
Finding the balance
In order to enjoy the convenience of online gambling, players must understand that they may need to share some personal information with the provider in return.
This is being done for their own advantage.
You may be notified of the following:
- You have been gambling at an online casino for an extended period.
- have reached a limit on spending
- I have reached my deposit limit.
Receiving such notifications may not be enjoyable at the time, but they are beneficial for your overall health and wellness in the long run.
Where in Illinois you can get help for problem gambling
The NCPG provides a list of resources in Illinois for individuals seeking assistance with problem gambling, such as:
National Problem Gambling Helpline
Call: 1-800-522-4700
Text: 1-800-522-4700
Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat
and
Illinois Council for Gambling Issues
Helpline: 800.522.4700
Website: www.icpg.info
Self help resources
Gamblers Anonymous is an online community where individuals come together to share their experiences, strengths, and hopes in order to overcome their gambling addiction and support others in their recovery journey.
Gam-Anon is a self-help organization for spouses, family members, or close friends of individuals struggling with compulsive gambling. Visit their website at www.gam-anon.org.
• GamTalk (www.gamtalk.org) is an online peer support forum that is moderated 24/7.
