Sportsbook Self-Exclusion: Legal Options After Failed Requests

Sportsbook self-exclusion is a way for problem gamblers to remove themselves from the temptation of online sports betting. Major sportsbook platforms offer self-exclusion programs that let users voluntarily ban themselves from online gambling. Unfortunately, some sportsbooks fail to follow self-exclusion requests, allowing bettors to continue wagering and lose more money.

Sportsbook self-exclusion failures can involve technology errors or the betting apps simply ignoring users’ moderation requests. If you lose money on a sportsbook after failed self-exclusion requests, talk to a consumer law attorney about your legal rights.

What Is Gambling Self-Exclusion?

Self-exclusion is an option on sports betting websites and apps that allows users to temporarily or permanently ban themselves from betting. People with a gambling addiction can self-exclude to remove the ease and access of online sports gambling.

Many states require sportsbook apps to offer self-exclusion as part of their responsible gambling tools. A number of states also have their own gaming and casino self-exclusion registries for licensed gambling establishments and gambling platforms.

Users can self-exclude themselves only. Generally, family members cannot self-exclude another person from gaming activities.

Self-Exclusion Options

When opting to self-exclude, users can choose a permanent or temporary ban. Temporary bans may last for 30 days, 90 days, one year, five years, or some other temporary period.

Depending on the exclusion policy, some lifetime bans are permanent, and bettors cannot remove themselves from the self-exclusion list. However, in some jurisdictions, self-excluded gamblers can withdraw themselves from the self-restriction registry.

Penalties for Letting Self-Excluded Customers Gamble

When gambling apps or casinos allow access to a self-excluded customer, the gaming establishment can face fines and other penalties. Gamblers making sports bets in violation of their own self-exclusion terms may have to forfeit any gambling winnings.

Self-Exclusion Enrollment Programs by State

The self-exclusion requirements vary by state. Some offer online self-exclusion, and others require you to go to the gaming commission in person to self-exclude.

There is also a National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program that applies to multiple gaming websites. To understand the self-exclusion and gambling laws in your state, check with your state gaming commission.

The following table shows which states have state-level self-exclusion programs and the self-exclusion timelines.

State	State Registry	Duration Period	State Registry Link
Alabama	No state-level registry
Alaska	No state-level registry
Arizona	Yes	1 year, 5 years, or lifetime	Arizona Department of Gaming Self-Exclusion
Arkansas	No state-level registry
California	Yes	1 year or lifetime	CA DOJ Bureau of Gambling Control
Colorado	Yes	1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or lifetime	Colorado Division of Gaming
Connecticut	Yes	1 year, 5 years, or lifetime	CT Department of Consumer Protection
Delaware	Yes	1 year, 5 years, or lifetime	Delaware Lottery Self-Exclusion
Florida	No state-level registry
Georgia	Yes	3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years	Georgia Lottery Corporation
Hawaii	No state-level registry
Idaho	No state-level registry
Illinois	Yes	1 year, 5 years, or lifetime	Illinois Gaming Board (SEP)
Indiana	Yes	1 year, 5 years, or lifetime	Indiana Gaming Commission (VEP)
Iowa	Yes	5 years or lifetime	Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
Kansas	Yes	2 years or lifetime	Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission
Kentucky	Yes	Up to lifetime	Kentucky Lottery Responsible Gaming
Louisiana	Yes	Minimum of 5 years	Louisiana Gaming Control Board
Maine	Yes	1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or lifetime	Maine Gambling Control Board
Maryland	Yes	2 years or lifetime	Maryland Lottery and Gaming
Massachusetts	Yes	1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or lifetime	Massachusetts Gaming Commission
Michigan	Yes	1 year, 5 years, or lifetime	Michigan Gaming Control Board
Minnesota	No state-level registry
Mississippi	Yes	Minimum of 3 years	Mississippi Gaming Commission
Missouri	Yes	Minimum of 5 years	Missouri Gaming Commission
Montana	Yes	Minimum of 6 months	Montana Lottery Commission
Nebraska	Yes	1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or lifetime	Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission
Nevada	No state-level registry
New Hampshire	Yes	1 month, 3 months, or 6 months	New Hampshire Lottery Commission
New Jersey	Yes	1 year, 5 years, or lifetime	NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement
New Mexico	Yes	Minimum of 1 year	NM Gaming Control Board
New York	Yes	1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or lifetime	NY State Gaming Commission
North Carolina	Yes	1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or lifetime	NC State Lottery Commission
North Dakota	No state-level registry
Ohio	Yes	1 year, 5 years, or lifetime	Ohio VEP (Time Out Ohio)
Oklahoma	Yes	1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or 10 years	Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling & Gaming
Oregon	No state-level registry		Oregon State Lottery
Pennsylvania	Yes	1 year, 5 years, or lifetime	Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Rhode Island	Yes	1 year, 5 years, or lifetime	Rhode Island Lottery
South Carolina	No state-level registry
South Dakota	No state-level registry
Tennessee	Yes	1 year, 5 years, or lifetime	Tennessee Sports Wagering Council
Texas	No state-level registry
Utah	No state-level registry
Vermont	Yes	1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or lifetime	Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery
Virginia	Yes	2 years, 5 years, or lifetime	Virginia Lottery (Voluntary Exclusion)
Washington	Yes	1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or 10 years	Washington State Gambling Commission
Washington D.C.		1 year, 18 months, 3 years, 5 years, or lifetime	District of Columbia Lottery (OLG)
West Virginia	Yes	1 year, 5 years, or lifetime	West Virginia Lottery
Wisconsin	No state-level registry
Wyoming	Yes	1 year, 3 years, 5 years, 10 years, or lifetime	Wyoming Gaming Commission

DraftKings Self-Exclusion

DraftKings has a self-exclusion duration to restrict players’ sports wagering. When customers self-exclude from DraftKings, they cannot log into their account or make any deposits. They can’t make sports wagers or fantasy sports bets. Self-exclusion offers the following durations:

• Three months
• Six months
• One year
• Five years

After the self-exclusion period, access to online betting resumes. Self-excluded individuals can withdraw their exclusion by contacting DraftKings customer support to request reinstatement.

FanDuel Self-Exclusion

FanDuel gamblers can self-exclude from gambling activities on the website. When users apply self-exclusion, their upcoming wagers are canceled, and they can’t access their sportsbook account for periods lasting from six months to a permanent ban.

The betting platform will unsubscribe the player from mailing lists, though users can contact the online sportsbook after the exclusion period to withdraw their name from the self-exclusion list.

There are also timeout or cooling-off period options for bettors. A timeout is a temporary pause that can limit access for a period of three to 365 days.

Self-Exclusion for Other Sportsbooks

For other sportsbooks, online casinos, and land-based gaming locations, find out about their self-exclusion policies. If an online gaming platform does not have a clear self-exclusion policy, it may not be licensed to operate in your state.

You can also contact your state gaming regulator to find out about statewide self-exclusion, including in-person and online gaming restrictions.

Sports Gambling Sites Ignoring Self-Exclude

If a gaming site allows users to log in or make bets after self-exclusion, they are violating their self-exclusion policies. Sending ads, promotions, and failure to update self-exclusion lists are also violations of the self-exclusion policies. If you are still getting gambling offers after self-excluding, contact the site directly to confirm your exclusion and contact your state gaming regulator.

In some jurisdictions, sportsbooks and gambling operators that ignore self-exclusion requests can face financial penalties. For example, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board fined BetMGM over $260,000 for permitting self-excluded individuals to gamble on its website. New Jersey gambling regulators fined DraftKings $10,000 for violating self-exclusion policies.

Bettors may also face penalties for gambling or making bets in violation of their self-exclusion enrollment. State gaming regulators may seize any gambling winnings. In some jurisdictions, bettors may also face criminal trespass charges.

Responsible Gaming and Self-Exclusion Options

Gambling disorder (GD) is a behavioral addictive disorder. People with a gambling disorder may have a problem limiting their betting activity. Preoccupation with gambling, lying about gambling habits, or risking relationships and jobs are potential signs of gambling addiction.

Self-exclusion, deposit limits, and other gambling limits can help problem gamblers reduce their risk of financial losses and other harm related to gambling addiction. If you believe you have a problem controlling your in-person or online gambling, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET. The problem gambling hotline has resources for people struggling with gambling problems.

Legal Options to Recover Damages

Some bettors can file a lawsuit against the sportsbook after unsuccessful attempts to self-exclude. Users may have a claim for breach of contract or violation of state gaming self-exclusion laws. However, many terms and conditions to sign up for an online sportsbook require users to agree to mandatory arbitration.

If you think the sportsbook platform failed to follow its self-exclusion agreement, contact a consumer rights lawyer for legal advice. You may be able to file a lawsuit against the sportsbook to recover your bets that it took after you self-excluded. Contact a local consumer law attorney to find out about your legal options.