Illinois Officially Includes Problem Gambling As Addiction
David Genge Published 07/08/2026
A new bill signed by Governor JB Pritzker officially includes problem gambling as an addiction. It will be treated in the same manner as substance abuse. Illinois Senate Bill 2749, signed into law by Pritzker in late July, updates the state's Substance Use Disorder Act. It classifies gambling disorder under the same legal and public health framework as drug and alcohol addictions.
The bill allows for state-funded inpatient and support services for compulsive gambling. It also requires that instructional programs be created to educate people on the potential dangers of gambling. Funding will also be provided to develop programs espousing the benefits of healthy gambling habits.
Problem gambling is officially recognized as a sickness in Illinois
The text of Illinois bill SB2749 is that it "amends the Substance Use Disorder Act." According to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest), if Illinois is going to offer legal and regulated sports betting, the state needs to be prepared to deal with the fallout from that choice. By recognizing the disorder under the law, it makes it easier for the state to provide resources for people who are struggling with gambling addiction.
“We see people who have alcohol dependencies, people who have drug addictions," Morrison told Capitol News Illinois. "I think we recognize those as disorders, and it’s in statute, and we are providing different granting mechanisms, different ways to help those people across the state.
“We haven’t done that with gambling, and that’s what this bill is about. It’s just recognizing the fact this is also another addiction disorder, and those people also need the help.”
The bill passed with bipartisan support. It moved through the Senate with unanimous support. There were 11 dissenting votes in the House, all from Republican members.
The change went into effect immediately upon the signing of the bill into law.
The state will provide educational resources to help problem gamblers
The bill requires the Illinois Department of Human Services to collaborate with the State Board of Education. They will assist the board in developing instructional resources for substance use or gambling disorder prevention. This objective will also serve toward creating awareness of the signs of the problem for use by school districts.
It also permits the department to establish a program to provide for the production and publication, in electronic and other formats, of gambling prevention, recognition, treatment, and recovery literature and other public education methods.
Illinois will dedicate funding to be more proactive in recognizing and treating gambling disorders
The bill also sets money aside to provide support for gambling disorder prevention, recognition, treatment, and recovery projects. They will be doing this by facilitating the acquisition of gambling prevention curricula. Funding will also provide training in the best practices for gambling disorder prevention. It will connect these programs to health care resources. The bill permits the department to award grants to create or support local gambling prevention, recognition, and response projects.
Funding of programs for parents on healthy gaming and play habits and appropriate financial planning and investment strategies will also be provided. The bill will be devoting educational resources to teaching people how to talk about gambling abuse.
It requires the Department of Human Resources to establish a public education, research, and training program regarding gambling disorders. The bill expands the scope of the program by requiring that it utilize screening, crisis intervention, treatment, public awareness, prevention, in-service training, and other innovative means to decrease the incidence of suicide attempts related to a gambling disorder or gambling issues.
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