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CA · verified 2026-07-23

California gambling self-exclusion programs

Official California cardroom self-exclusion and self-restriction options, including scope, enrollment, duration, and removal rules.

California Department of Justice, Bureau of Gambling Control

Statewide Self-Exclusion Program

A statewide list for gambling establishments licensed by the California Gambling Control Commission, principally California cardrooms.

What it covers

  • Entry to and gambling at covered state-licensed gambling establishments
  • The cardroom access covered by California’s statewide regulations

Not covered or not established

  • Tribal casinos
  • California State Lottery
  • Horse racing
  • Online sports wagering, fantasy contests, or online sweepstakes products

How to enroll

  1. Use the official online registration system, or complete the current paper form.
  2. A paper form must be notarized or witnessed by a key employee and mailed to the Bureau of Gambling Control at the address printed on the form.

Program contact: (916) 830-1700 or BGCEMS@doj.ca.gov

Open California’s official online registration

Available terms

  • One year; the current rules provide for automatic expiration
  • A selection labelled lifetime; current rules permit a removal request after at least one year

Ending or removing the exclusion

A lifetime-selection removal is not immediate. Under the current regulations, it becomes effective on the first business day of the second whole month after the request was postmarked.

Before you submit

  • The minimum selected term is irrevocable.
  • Use a tribal casino’s own current program if you also need exclusion from a tribal property.

Program sources: California DOJ — Self-Exclusion Program, California DOJ — Official online self-exclusion registration, California Gambling Control Commission — Self-Exclusion Request, California Gambling Control Commission — Self-Exclusion Removal Request, California Gambling Control Commission — Regulations §§12460–12466

Selected California cardroom

Cardroom-specific Self-Restriction Program

A separate request made to one selected cardroom. It is not the statewide self-exclusion list.

What it covers

  • Restrictions selected on the current form, which can include entry, certain games where feasible, credit, check cashing, or direct marketing
  • Only the cardroom named in the request

Not covered or not established

  • Other California cardrooms
  • Tribal casinos
  • Lottery or horse-racing products

How to enroll

  1. Ask the selected cardroom for its current self-restriction form and process.
  2. Choose the restrictions you want rather than assuming the request blocks every activity.
Review the official California program page

Available terms

  • The selected cardroom’s current form and policy control

Ending or removing the exclusion

Confirm the selected term and removal conditions with the cardroom before submitting the request.

Before you submit

  • Use statewide self-exclusion as a separate step when you want the state-licensed cardroom coverage described above.

Program sources: California DOJ — Self-Exclusion Program, California Gambling Control Commission — Regulations §§12460–12466

Also request self-exclusion from each operator

A state program may not cover every account, brand, affiliate, or jurisdiction. This copyable request is an additional operator step; it does not enroll you in the official state program above. Send it only through the operator's current official contact route.

Self-Exclusion Request

Request the exclusion period and scope you want

This template is not pre-addressed. Use the platform’s current official contact route and confirm where this request should be sent.

Subject
Self-Exclusion Request - [Operator name]
Email body
Dear [Operator name] Support Team, I am requesting formal self-exclusion from [Operator name] for [choose a duration from the current policy]. This is a self-exclusion request, not an ordinary account closure or temporary timeout. Please explain which products, brands, accounts, and jurisdictions the exclusion covers; when it becomes effective; how any remaining balance and pending wagers will be handled; and whether I must also enroll in a regulator or state program. Please remove me from direct gambling marketing where your current policy permits. If identity verification is required, send the official secure verification route. I will not send passwords, full payment details, or identity documents in an ordinary support message or email. Please confirm the start date, end date if any, whether it can be changed early, and provide a reference number. Thank you for your cooperation. Best regards, [Your Name]
  • Send from the email address on your [Operator name] account
  • Keep a copy of your sent email for your records

Gambling support in California

Call 1-800-GAMBLER

California DOJ presents this as 24/7 gambling support. It is not a substitute for 911 or 988 in an immediate crisis.

Official sources

Checked 2026-07-23. Source scope can change; use the linked regulator page or form when submitting personal information.

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