Self-Exclusion Program

In accordance with regulations, the Bureau administers a confidential list of Self-Excluded patrons. Self-Excluded patrons are banned from all licensed gambling establishments in the State of California. A licensed gambling establishment does not include Tribal Casino's. Self-Excluded patrons are prohibited from collecting any unredeemed jackpots or prizes won for the term specified on their form, which can be 1 year or lifetime.

Please be advised that all Self-Exclusion terms are irrevocable.

What happens after the form is completed and processed? The Bureau will send a confirmation letter to the patron notifying them that their form has been accepted and that they have been added to the Self-Exclusion list. If a patron chooses the 1 year term, the Bureau will also notify the patron of the term expiration prior to the expiration date.

If an active Self-Exclusion patron enters a gambling establishment for any reason, the establishment is required to remove the patron from the premises and notify the Bureau of the incident. If a patron is playing in a gambling establishment, their unredeemed jackpots or prizes are confiscated and sent to the California Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling.

The Bureau also notifies gambling establishments each time a patron is added to the Self-Exclusion list. The notification includes the patrons name, photo, date of birth, exclusion term, and any other personal descriptor information submitted on the Self-Exclusion form.

Also in accordance with regulations, Licensees are required to administer a Self-Restriction Program. Self-Restriction is an irrevocable, voluntary agreement to have restricted access to specific gambling establishments, or to the issuance of credit, check cashing, or marketing, from a particular licensed cardroom. The cardroom may voluntarily use the California Gambling Control Commission’s form or they may create their own. Self-Restriction periods are dictated by individual cardrooms and can vary from 30 days, 90 days, 1 year, or lifetime. All Self-Restriction forms are kept and maintained within individual cardrooms.

If you think that you or someone you know may have a gambling problem and do not want to self-exclude from gambling establishments, please go back to the Responsible Gambling page for other resources.