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The Illinois Senate has approved a bill that would broaden state programs for substance abuse disorders to include disordered gambling. Having passed in one chamber, the proposed law is now under consideration in a House committee. Its passage would mean the Illinois Department of Human Services would be able to devote some of the same resources to preventing and treating gambling disorders as it currently deploys for drug abuse.
The change could also mean new funding for private programs to educate the public about the consequences and risks of problematic gambling. Given the bill’s unanimous support in the Illinois Senate and Gov. JB Pritzker‘s past favorable actions on the issue, the bill seems to have a strong chance of being enacted.
SB0118 advances in Springfield
On April 7, SB0118 was assigned to the House’s Rules Committee after a 55-0 vote in favor of the bill in the Illinois Senate. SB0118 amends the state’s existing Substance Use Disorder Act to require the Illinois “Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a public education program regarding gambling disorders.” Those requirements encompass mandates to:
- Promote public awareness regarding the impact of gambling disorders on individuals, families, and communities and the stigma that surrounds gambling disorders
- Use screening, crisis intervention, treatment, public awareness, prevention, in-service training, and other innovative means to decrease the incidence of suicide attempts related to gambling disorders or gambling issues
In 2025, the Illinois legislature meets through May 31, so there is sufficient time to enact SB0118 if House leaders and Pritzker support the legislation. Although neither House leaders nor Pritzker have yet commented on the bill, Pritzker showed his support for problem gambling prevention in March 2024 by declaring the month “Problem Gambling Awareness Month” and allocating DHS resources to the issue during the month.
The addition of gambling disorder to the Substance Use Disorder Act would enable DHS to expand those programs and offer them throughout the year. Non-government programs could benefit from the new designation as well.
SB0118 puts more attention on disordered gambling
With SB0118’s enactment, DHS allocating more resources to prevent and treat disordered gambling would not require more executive action from Illinois’ governor. That would enable DHS to treat gambling disorders the same way it has other substance-related disorders for the last seven years.
The Substance Use Disorder Act became law in 2018 and was enacted to increase prevention efforts to curtail the costs associated with substance use in Illinois. Since that time, DHS’ Division of Substance Use Prevention & Recovery has maintained a hotline for people seeking resources, provided overdose prevention, and maintained recovery programs.
The division also currently funds a public awareness campaign about problematic gambling and refers interested persons to available resources. SB0118 could expand upon those efforts and make DHS grants available to private entities in Illinois whose aims include education, prevention, research, or treatment related to problem gambling.
SB0118’s sponsor, Illinois Sen. Julie Morrison, explained her motivation for filing the bill to Danny Connolly of WCIA.
Gambling releases dopamine and can quickly escalate from a fun pastime to a serious issue. By recognizing gambling disorder as a health condition, we are breaking down barriers to treatment and recovery.
That change is now a third of the way to being enshrined in the state code and on its way to implementation by DHS. In a matter of weeks, the department could have new directives from the legislature to the benefit of all Illinois residents.
