Gambling Self-Exclusion in Washington, D.C.

How does Washington, D.C.'s self-exclusion program work?

Self-Exclusion Program is run by Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG). You enroll once and every operator it covers must refuse you for the term you chose.

Run by

Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG)

What it covers

One request bans you from all gambling the OLG licenses in the District: retail and online sports betting, lottery retailers and online lottery play, with forfeiture of any winnings while excluded.

Durations

1 year · 18 months · 3 years · 5 years · lifetime

Help line

202-788-2102

How do I sign up for self-exclusion in Washington, D.C.?

Washington, D.C.'s self-exclusion form is on the official Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) page linked below — there is no fee and no third party needs to be involved.

1. 1 In person at OLG headquarters, 2235 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020; call the Responsible Gaming Specialist at 202-788-2102 or email SelfExclusionProgram@dc.gov for an appointment
2. 2 At any licensed Class A or B sports wagering facility, which are authorized to process applications
3. 3 Via the self-exclusion application on the OLG website (dclottery.com)

Official page: dclottery.com/player-resources/play-responsibly/self-exclusion-program — enroll there directly, never through a third-party site.

How do I get off the Washington, D.C. self-exclusion list?

A D.C. exclusion is irrevocable for the term you chose - it can be lengthened, never shortened - and it does not lift on its own. You must request removal, which the Office of Lottery and Gaming describes as an in-person exit session.

Can it be ended early?

No. The term you pick is the term you serve.

At the end of the term

You stay on the list until you apply to come off. Reaching the end date on its own does nothing.

1. 1 Complete the term you chose. It cannot be shortened.
2. 2 Request removal from the Office of Lottery and Gaming.
3. 3 Attend the in-person exit session the OLG requires before you come off the list.

Lifetime enrollment requires having been on the list at least six months first, so it is never a term you can pick on day one.

Worth saying plainly: wanting off the list is not the same as being ready to gamble again, and the urge to check usually arrives long before the term does. What actually happens when people come off a self-exclusion list goes through that in full.

What should I watch out for with Washington, D.C. self-exclusion?

Exclusion is irrevocable for the chosen term (it can be lengthened, never shortened), lifetime enrollment requires having been enrolled at least six months first, and you are not removed automatically when the term ends: you must request removal, which the OLG FAQ describes as an in-person exit session.

Is self-exclusion enough on its own in Washington, D.C.?

Washington, D.C.'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 ban inside each betting app you hold, plus a gambling-blocking software on every device plus a card block that stops the deposit itself. For the full walkthrough, start with our self-exclusion guide or the complete guide to quitting gambling.

Gambling across the Washington, D.C. line?

A state program only binds operators licensed in that state. If you drive to a casino or bet on an app registered next door, you need that state's ban too.

• Maryland's self-exclusion program
• How to self-exclude in Virginia

Or compare every US state's program side by side.

Frequently asked questions