Puerto Rico Self-Exclusion Program Launches
The Puerto Rico self-exclusion program has officially joined the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (NVSEP), marking the expansion of responsible gaming protections across multiple jurisdictions. Set to launch in June, the initiative will enable eligible individuals in Puerto Rico to voluntarily enroll and restrict their access to gaming operators and platforms spanning various jurisdictions and gaming types. This development aligns with the ongoing modernization efforts by the Comisión de Juegos del Gobierno de Puerto Rico, which oversees the territory’s expanding gaming ecosystem including casinos, sports wagering, as well as other regulated gaming activities. The program specifically strengthens consumer protection measures while connecting Puerto Rico to a growing network of regulators and operators committed to accessible, effective responsible gaming support.
Puerto Rico Joins National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Network
Juan Carlos Santaella Marchán, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission, emphasized the territory’s dedication to this partnership. “This alliance strengthens our public policy efforts to maintain a safe, highly regulated gaming industry grounded in responsible gaming practices,” Santaella Marchán stated. He added that the goal centers on providing accessible tools and resources for anyone seeking support with gambling-related issues, reinforcing the commission’s ongoing commitment to the territory.
Jonathan Aiwazian, CEO of idPair, acknowledged Puerto Rico’s position in the regional market. “Puerto Rico has built one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving gaming markets in the region, backed by strong leadership and a vibrant culture that makes it a truly special place,” Aiwazian noted. The idPair platform will distribute exclusion data to operators, many of whom already process such information through the system deployed across other jurisdictions.
NVSEP addresses what has historically been a fragmented self-exclusion process. Instead of navigating multiple exclusion systems independently, participants enroll online through a secure process while operators receive exclusion data through the idPair platform to support enforcement and regulatory obligations. Puerto Rico now joins a coalition of regulators, commercial operators, and tribes working to modernize responsible gaming infrastructure and create connected consumer protections nationwide.
How the Program Protects Gaming Participants
Self-exclusion programs enable individuals to voluntarily ban themselves from casinos, internet-based gambling, video gaming terminals, and fantasy sports wagering. Participants who enroll face specific restrictions designed to prevent continued gambling activity. They cannot collect winnings, recover losses, or accept complimentary gifts, services, or other items of value from licensees or operators.
All 38 jurisdictions with commercial casinos, sports betting, or internet gaming require operators to adopt self-exclusion programs that enable patrons to exclude themselves from gaming venues and online platforms. A majority of jurisdictions maintain a central self-exclusion register that includes enlisted patrons from all gaming venues and platforms. Centralized databases ensure that once an individual opts for self-exclusion, all participating operators enforce the exclusion, providing a true timeout from gambling.
The length of self-exclusion periods and reversal procedures vary by jurisdiction. State laws specify that casinos and online operators must eliminate direct promotional outreach to self-excluded individuals and deny them complimentaries or access to credit. During exclusion periods, operators must make commercially reasonable efforts to avoid sending targeted mailings, advertisements, marketing materials, or promotional content.
Operators may impose additional restrictions beyond program requirements. Licensees can ban individuals from their gaming sites in other jurisdictions. Someone breaching a self-exclusion agreement can be charged with an offense or fined.
What This Expansion Means for Responsible Gaming Nationwide
The gaming industry commits nearly half a billion dollars each year to responsible gaming initiatives that include support for independent academic research, development of best practices, technological innovations, employee training, and funding for problem gambling services. In recent years, responsible gaming regulations have evolved substantially. About two-thirds of commercial gaming jurisdictions now require operators to establish and file a responsible gaming plan with regulators, up from approximately half in 2022. Similarly, over 80% of commercial gaming jurisdictions have instituted detailed advertising rules, an increase from 70% in 2022.
All 38 commercial gaming jurisdictions covered in industry assessments require gaming or sports betting operators to adopt self-exclusion programs. For that reason, Puerto Rico’s addition to NVSEP strengthens an already comprehensive network. More than 5,000 dedicated state and tribal regulators establish and enforce regulatory frameworks across the nation.
Awareness of responsible gaming resources has reached significant levels. Research shows 84% of past-year gamblers recognize at least one responsible gaming resource, including 91% of sports bettors. The gaming industry has committed more than $40 million to independent academic research since 1996, including $10 million in the last five years alone. Past-year reports indicate 57% of sports bettors have noticed an increase in responsible gaming messaging.
