California has announced that it is joining Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, and Tennessee in joining the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (NVSEP) which enables gamblers to exclude themselves from online and offline casinos, online poker, and other gambling activities. The program then stops registered players from partaking in those activities across all states that sign up for the program.
The NVSEP program, which is being run by idPair, is set to launch in August and proponents hope it will help combat societal problems caused by gambling. The program is voluntary and it does not include tribal casinos, many of which have their own self-exclusion programs.
Although the program will not cover tribal casinos, it will cover other gambling activities within California. However, online casinos are not yet legal in California which has led many players to wager on crypto and offshore sites. Californian players commonly use Ethereum casinos and other crypto and anonymous casinos. Crypto writer Kane Pepi shares that these casinos offer anonymity because they allow players to pay directly from their crypto wallet, often without having to give personal details or provide financial details. Because these sites are not registered in California, they most likely won’t be part of this new program the state is participating in.
The NVSEP was announced in April 2024 when it was announced it would launch in New England in summer 2024. The group aims to make the program a national initiative that will operate across the whole U.S. but this does mean that it needs cooperation from as many states as possible. Because it operates across state borders, it means that a person who registers in one state will be prevented from using sites and establishments in other states.
California is now joining Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, and Tennessee in joining the program, and as the NVSEP is set to launch next month, idPair and the existing state members will be hoping to see other sites join shortly. NVSEP has been billed as the first national self-exclusion program, although there are state-based programs, as well as those set up by some tribal casinos and state tribes.
Currently, California law allows for wagering on Pari-mutuel sporting events as well as on jai-alai events. Casino gambling is allowed, but only at registered tribal casinos, and players can partake in live poker and domino games, for money, in registered cardrooms. Slot machines are also legal in certain facilities across the state.
Strictly speaking, online casinos are also outlawed, although many players do choose to play at real money online casino websites because these operate outside California jurisdiction and many do allow California-based players to set up accounts.
It is highly unlikely that California will change its iGaming laws soon, with recent attempts having failed because citizens resoundingly voted against allowing online sports betting, never mind online casinos.
California is the fifth state to join the national self-exclusion program that launches in August. Players have to voluntarily join the program, but once they have joined they will be excluded from casinos and other betting and wagering venues in the participating states. Online venues and casinos are not covered by the program, however, and tribal casinos are also not included, with most operating their own self-exclusion programs.
