Self-exclusion in New York

How to put yourself on New York's self-exclusion list, what it covers, and what it does not.

Programme: New York State Gaming Commission Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) — a single 'Request for Voluntary Self-Exclusion from all gaming facilities and entities licensed, permitted or registered by the New York State Gaming Commission'gaming.ny.gov, checked 3 October 2026
Covers online betting: Yes. The form excludes you from 'internet and account wagering', 'Sports Wagering' and 'Multi-Jurisdictional Advance Deposit Wagering', alongside the physical venues.gaming.ny.gov, checked 3 October 2026
Covers casinos and shops: Yes, and broadly. The form names the four commercial casinos (del Lago, Resorts World Catskills, Rivers Schenectady, Tioga Downs), the five off-track betting corporations, ten video lottery gaming facilities, and the horse racing tracks — and excludes you from 'non-gaming activities at such properties' too, not just the gaming floor.gaming.ny.gov, checked 3 October 2026
Covers the lottery: Yes. Self-excluded individuals are prohibited from 'New York Lottery traditional draw and instant games, QuickDraw', as well as video lottery games, interactive fantasy sports and charitable gaming. The form itself lists 'New York Lottery' among the entities covered.gaming.ny.gov, checked 3 October 2026
How long you can choose: One year, three years, five years, or lifetime.gaming.ny.gov, checked 3 October 2026
Can it be undone: No. The form is unambiguous: 'Exclusion will be enforced for the period selected below, with NO EXCEPTIONS. You will remain on the self-exclusion list until you complete the entire exclusion period, regardless of any change in personal circumstances.' There is no early-release route on the form at all.gaming.ny.gov, checked 3 October 2026
What happens when it ends: It ends by itself. At the end of a one, three or five year term you are removed from the list automatically, and to stay on it you must submit a new notarised form with an updated photograph within 30 days.Quoted on the page: "When a one-, three-, or five-year self-exclusion term ends, the impacted individual will be removed from the list unless they submit a new Voluntary Self-Exclusion Form within 30 days to extend their term." If you want to stay excluded, put that window in a calendar the day you enrol. A lifetime term does not expire.gaming.ny.gov, checked 3 October 2026
How you sign up: Three routes. In person 'at any licensed gaming facility's designated problem gambling intake area'; in person 'at the Commission's headquarters in Schenectady during normal business hours'; or by US mail to the Commission in Schenectady — and a posted form 'must be notarized' and include a photograph. The form is nine pages and asks for your Social Security number (disclosure is voluntary under the Federal Privacy Act, but the Commission warns that withholding it 'may prohibit the Commission from effectively implementing your Voluntary Self-Exclusion').gaming.ny.gov, checked 3 October 2026

Worth knowing before you start

New York is the broadest single list of these ten states: one form covers casinos, racetracks, OTBs, video lottery, the New York Lottery's draw and instant games, QuickDraw, sports wagering, internet and account wagering, interactive fantasy sports and charitable gaming, and there is no pick-and-choose by category. It is also firm: no exceptions and no early exit. One practical trap at the end of a term — at expiry of a one-, three- or five-year term you come off the list automatically, and to stay on you must submit a new notarised form with an updated photograph within 30 days. If you want to stay excluded, diarise that window. The form in use was revised 25 February 2026.

Done? The rest of the hour: blockers, a bank block, closing the accounts, telling one person.

Every fact on this page was read from an official source and dated. The oldest of them was checked on 3 October 2026. Tell us if something here is wrong.