Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed legislation formally recognizing gambling disorder within the state’s addiction framework, expanding the government’s authority to support prevention, treatment and recovery services.

Senate Bill 2749 amends the Illinois Substance Use Disorder Act and took effect immediately after Pritzker signed it on July 24. The measure places gambling disorder within the same legal framework used to address alcohol and drug dependency.

Before the change, state-funded inpatient care for compulsive gambling was generally available only when a person also had a substance use disorder requiring inpatient treatment. Illinois can now offer services for gambling disorder as a separate condition.

“Substance use and gambling disorders, as defined in this Act, constitute a serious public health problem,” the legislation states.

The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and received broad support in the House, where 11 Republican representatives voted against it.

State Expands Treatment and Prevention Authority

The amended law gives the Illinois Department of Human Services a wider role in coordinating gambling disorder services.

IDHS can develop a statewide strategy covering early intervention, treatment and recovery support. The department may also expand professional training, customer screening and crisis services, including suicide prevention measures.

Sen. Julie Morrison, who sponsored the legislation, said gambling addiction should receive the same statutory recognition as other addictive disorders.

“We see people who have alcohol dependencies, people who have drug addictions. 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,” Morrison said. “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.”

More than one million Illinois residents are estimated to have a gambling problem or face a risk of developing one. Gambling disorder can remain hidden because it may produce fewer visible physical symptoms than alcohol or drug dependency.

The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that one in five compulsive gamblers has attempted suicide, placing additional importance on crisis intervention and early identification.

Ryan Aten, a policy analyst with the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health, described the law as a major step toward closing the gap between gambling services and established substance use treatment systems.

“SUD (substance use disorder) has treatment facilities. There’s not gambling facilities in the same way,” Aten said. “This is a big step because we’re really bringing the attention first. Attention is the thing that gambling needs, because it is something so normalized as a whole.”

Schools and Operators Receive New Responsibilities

IDHS must work with the Illinois State Board of Education to develop gambling prevention programmes and classroom resources.

The state may introduce early awareness and intervention materials in high schools and colleges. Training could also help teachers, counsellors and healthcare professionals recognize warning signs and direct people toward treatment.

The department must prepare an official statement explaining where residents can obtain help for gambling disorder. Licensed gambling operators and establishment owners will have to display the statement on their websites or mobile applications.

The requirement applies to physical casinos and online sportsbooks operating in Illinois.

“The Pritzker Administration has made clear that gambling must be responsibly regulated, with strong consumer protections and meaningful investments in treatment and prevention,” a spokesperson for Pritzker said. “SB 2749 builds on that commitment by strengthening Illinois’ approach to gambling disorder prevention, education and treatment.”

The law defines gambling broadly as betting on uncertain outcomes, including activities regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board. This definition also acknowledges potential harm involving offshore gambling sites and prediction market platforms.

Illinois regulators have issued cease-and-desist orders to several platforms accused of offering unauthorized gambling. The state is also involved in litigation concerning sports-related event contracts.

Funding and Medicaid Barriers Remain

Although the legislation expands Illinois’ authority to provide services, it does not include guaranteed new funding or a detailed implementation timetable.

Lawmakers allocated $15 million for compulsive gambling treatment and prevention in the fiscal year 2026 budget, an increase of $5 million from the previous year.

Advocates argue that current spending remains limited compared with state gambling tax revenue. Illinois devoted approximately $0.06 to treatment and prevention for every $100 collected in gambling taxes during the previous year.

The legislation also does not make gambling disorder treatment eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. That restriction remains a significant obstacle for lower-income residents seeking professional care.

Supporters hope future legislation will address insurance coverage and provide additional resources. Aten said formal recognition creates a foundation for those changes.

“This bill has been probably one of the biggest gambling bills we’ve seen in many, many years, because it does bring that awareness and does bring the attention to an emerging problem,” Aten said, as reported by Capitol News Illinois.