Illinois Recognizes Gambling Addiction as Serious as Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Illinois has made a significant move to address gambling addiction by treating it with the same seriousness as alcohol and drug abuse. This shift allows individuals experiencing gambling-related harm to access the same treatment and recovery resources available for those struggling with substance abuse.

Senate Bill 2749, signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker, codifies gambling addiction as a disorder comparable in intensity and harm to alcohol and substance abuse. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Julie Morrison, aims to incorporate gambling addiction into the Illinois Department of Human Services’ behavioral health division. This means that people experiencing related harm will have the opportunity to access these resources readily.

Illinois is estimated to have 383,000 adults who are experiencing gambling-related harm and who have a gambling problem specifically, with another 761,000 adults at risk. All told, this accounts for 11% of the state’s adult population.