Illinois has formally recognized gambling disorder as an addiction after Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2749 into law, placing compulsive gambling within the state’s Substance Use Disorder Act. The measure broadens the legal framework for treatment and prevention while allowing state agencies to provide services specifically for people affected by gambling addiction.
The legislation took effect immediately following the governor’s signature and received broad bipartisan support during the legislative process. It passed unanimously in the Senate, while only 11 Republican members voted against it in the House.
Law Broadens Access to Treatment and Prevention
Under the updated law, the Illinois Department of Human Services’ behavioral health division can provide programs and support for individuals with gambling disorder and their families. Previously, state-funded inpatient treatment for compulsive gambling was generally available only when a patient also had a substance use disorder requiring inpatient care.
The legislation also authorizes additional training for addiction counselors and expands prevention initiatives, including early awareness and intervention programs in high schools and colleges.
Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Lake Forest, who sponsored the bill, said the change acknowledges gambling addiction alongside other recognized 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.”
According to the Illinois Department of Human Services, recognizing gambling disorder under state law is intended to further legitimize the condition while reducing the stigma that often prevents people from seeking help.
Advocates Welcome Progress While Calling for More Support
Experts describe gambling disorder as a condition that can remain hidden because its symptoms are often less visible than those associated with alcohol or drug misuse. The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that one in five people with compulsive gambling behavior has attempted suicide.
More than one million Illinois residents, representing over one in 10 adults, are estimated to have a gambling addiction or face an elevated risk of developing one. An investigation by Capitol News Illinois and the Illinois Answers Project found that gamblers in the state lost more than $7.7 billion last year.
Ryan Aten, a policy analyst with the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health, called the legislation a “massive step” forward.
“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.”
Advocates said the law lacks guaranteed funding and does not make gambling treatment eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. Illinois allocated $15 million in its fiscal year 2026 budget for gambling treatment and prevention, but only $0.06 of every $100 collected through state gambling taxes supported these efforts last year. Aten said future legislation could address reimbursement and expand resources.
Source:
“Illinois recognizes gambling addiction, allowing new treatment options”, capitolnewsillinois.com, July 27, 2026
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