California Joins National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program

Program Details and Expansion

The initiative allows individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from access to land-based casinos and other gambling activities across all participating states.

In April, it was announced that Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, and Tennessee would join the NVSEP. With California’s addition, the program continues to grow, offering more extensive coverage and support for individuals seeking to manage their gambling habits.

CEO’s Statement on NVSEP

Johnathan Aiwazian, CEO of idPair, emphasized the program’s mission: “NVSEP is singularly focused on expanding free and simple access to voluntary self-exclusion to those who need it. The announcement has the potential to help many of the tens of millions of people who either call California home or make it a travel destination and need a free and effective way to protect themselves.”

The NVSEP will go live in August and will encompass all California state-run programs. However, it will not cover California tribal casinos, which often have their own self-exclusion programs. This distinction is important for participants to understand the scope of their self-exclusion.

Robert Jackson, executive director of the California Council on Problem Gambling, highlighted the positive implications of the program: “NVSEP’s offer of free notarization services for those enrolling in California’s self-exclusion program removes a significant barrier. This can have a tremendously positive impact on countless Californians dealing with gambling addiction by making one of our most vital prevention and recovery tools more accessible.”