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Illinois Lottery launches Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program to help
problem gamblers 
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Program
prevents problem gamblers from collecting large lottery prizes,
receiving lottery mailings
[October 17, 2007]
SPRINGFIELD -- On Tuesday the
Illinois Lottery launched its
Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program, which allows people who have
determined they have a problem with gambling to stop themselves from
playing the lottery by halting their prize-claiming abilities. The
program aims to reduce the temptations for problem gamblers by
preventing self-excluders from collecting prizes at the lottery's
prize payment centers or through the lottery's central office. The
Illinois Lottery will also remove self-excluders from marketing
lists.
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 "The Illinois Lottery understands that while its games are meant to
be a source of fun and enjoyment, we need to be conscious of those
who may have a problem with compulsive play. By instituting the
Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program, we are helping problem gamblers
help themselves by limiting their incentives to buy lottery
tickets," said Jodie Winnett, acting superintendent of the Illinois
Lottery.Problem gamblers can start a lifelong contract with the
lottery by completing and notarizing the self-exclusion contract,
which is available online at
www.illinoislottery.com, at any of the lottery offices
throughout the state or through addiction counseling centers.
[To download Adobe Acrobat Reader for
the PDF file, click
here.]
The lottery will maintain a computer database containing the
Social Security numbers of those who have signed contracts. Whenever
a lottery winner tries to claim a prize more than $600 at one of the
lottery payment centers, the database will be consulted and those
players on the self-exclusion list will be denied payment. In
addition the Illinois Lottery will do everything reasonable to
remove those on the self-exclusion list from their direct mail and
e-mail lists.
Currently the Illinois Lottery's toll-free number for problem
gamblers is publicized during statewide televised numbers drawings,
on any collateral materials and online. Anyone who is concerned
about a gambling problem can reach crisis counseling and referral
services by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or by contacting
one of the organizations listed in the resource directory at
www.illinoislottery.com.
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In fiscal 2007, records from the 1-800-GAMBLER line show that just
over 600 people identified the Illinois Lottery as a primary or
secondary preference in their gambling problem. Although this group
represents a very small percentage of the more than 5 million people
who played the lottery last year, the Illinois Lottery recognizes
its responsibility to help those with a problem. Through the
toll-free line, the online site and problem gambling assistance
organizations, the Illinois Lottery hopes to make the Self-Exclusion
Program available to those who need assistance.
The Illinois Gaming Board launched a Voluntary Self-Exclusion
Program in July of 2002, which has been remarkably successful, with
over 5,000 people participating today.
[Text from
Illinois Lottery file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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