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Gambling Self-Exclusion in California

Tribal casinos (the largest segment), licensed cardrooms, state lottery, horse racing, and charitable gaming; no legal online sports betting or iGaming.

Checked against California Department of Justice, Bureau of Gambling Control (with the California Gambling Control Commission)'s official program page on · compiled by

The short answer

California residents can self-exclude from gambling through Self-Exclusion Program, run by California Department of Justice, Bureau of Gambling Control (with the California Gambling Control Commission). Exclusion periods: 1 year or lifetime. Bans you from all licensed gambling establishments (cardrooms) in California; it does not cover tribal casinos, the state lottery, or horse racing.

The program: Self-Exclusion Program

Run by
California Department of Justice, Bureau of Gambling Control (with the California Gambling Control Commission)
What it covers
Bans you from all licensed gambling establishments (cardrooms) in California; it does not cover tribal casinos, the state lottery, or horse racing.
Durations
1 year · lifetime
Help line
1-800-GAMBLER

How to enroll

  1. 1 Online via the Bureau of Gambling Control self-exclusion registration portal linked from oag.ca.gov/gambling/exclusion_self

Official page: oag.ca.gov/gambling/exclusion_self — enroll there directly, never through a third-party site.

What to watch out for

Tribal casinos are NOT covered - each tribe runs its own self-exclusion program, so you must enroll separately at tribal casinos you visit. Terms are irrevocable for their duration, and excluded patrons forfeit unredeemed jackpots or prizes. Cardrooms also offer a separate operator-level Self-Restriction Program. Bureau contact: (916) 830-1700.

Self-exclusion alone isn't enough

California's program only binds operators licensed in the state — offshore sites and crypto casinos ignore it. The setup that holds is layered: self-exclusion plus a gambling blocker on your devices plus a gambling block on your bank card. For the full walkthrough, start with our self-exclusion guide or the complete guide to quitting gambling.

Frequently asked questions

Does California have a gambling self-exclusion program?
Yes. Self-Exclusion Program is run by California Department of Justice, Bureau of Gambling Control (with the California Gambling Control Commission). Bans you from all licensed gambling establishments (cardrooms) in California; it does not cover tribal casinos, the state lottery, or horse racing.
How long does self-exclusion last in California?
You can choose 1 year or lifetime. Note: Tribal casinos are NOT covered - each tribe runs its own self-exclusion program, so you must enroll separately at tribal casinos you visit. Terms are irrevocable for their duration, and excluded patrons forfeit unredeemed jackpots or prizes. Cardrooms also offer a separate operator-level Self-Restriction Program. Bureau contact: (916) 830-1700.
How do I sign up for self-exclusion in California?
Online via the Bureau of Gambling Control self-exclusion registration portal linked from oag.ca.gov/gambling/exclusion_self. Always use the official page — never a third-party site.
Does California self-exclusion cover offshore and crypto gambling sites?
No. State self-exclusion only binds operators licensed in California. Offshore and crypto casinos ignore it, which is why you should pair it with a gambling blocker app and a bank gambling block.

Cashout walks you through this, step by step.

Self-exclusion setup for your state, app blocking, and a panic button for the urges in between. Launching soon on iOS — waitlist gets access first.