Illinois Adds Gambling Disorder Treatment Under Senate Bill 2749

Illinois has formally added gambling disorder to its public health framework after Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2749. The law took effect immediately and allows state services to address gambling addiction without requiring a separate substance use diagnosis.

Good to Know

• Illinois now treats gambling disorder under the Substance Use Disorder Act.
• The law covers prevention, counselling, treatment, education and recovery support.
• No new funding or Medicaid coverage came directly with the legislation.

Illinois Opens Wider Access to Gambling Treatment

Before Senate Bill 2749, a person generally needed a qualifying substance use disorder to access certain state-funded inpatient services. Illinois can now provide support for gambling disorder as a standalone condition.

The Illinois Department of Human Services will coordinate prevention, early intervention, treatment, referrals and long-term recovery programs. The department can also work with healthcare providers, local authorities and community organisations to improve training and service standards.

Schools may gain new gambling awareness material through cooperation between IDHS and the Illinois State Board of Education. Resources can cover gambling risk, financial choices, probability and early warning signs among students.

Sen. Julie Morrison said:

“We see people who have alcohol dependencies, people who have drug addictions. I think we recognize those as disorders, and it’s in statute, and we are providing different granting mechanisms, different ways to help those people across the state.

“We haven’t done that with gambling, and that’s what this bill is about. It’s just recognizing the fact this is also another addiction disorder, and those people also need the help.”

The Senate approved the bill unanimously. Only 11 Republican representatives voted against it in the House.

Funding Questions Remain

Illinois set aside $15 million for compulsive gambling prevention and treatment in its 2026 budget, up $5 million from the previous year. However, Senate Bill 2749 did not create a fresh funding stream or make gambling treatment eligible for Medicaid reimbursement.

That gap may limit how quickly providers can add services. Illinois directed only about $0.06 toward gambling treatment for every $100 collected in state gambling taxes last year, according to data cited by Capitol News Illinois. More than one million Illinois residents may already have a gambling problem or face elevated risk.

The law also supports public education, crisis referrals and professional training. Gambling operators can face requirements to display treatment information, while counsellors, teachers and healthcare workers may receive more help identifying gambling harm.

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