• Home
• Puerto Rico to Join National Self-Exclusion Programme in 2026

Puerto Rico to Join National Self-Exclusion Programme in 2026

Puerto Rico to Join National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Programme – Single Online Tool to Block Access to Licensed Gambling Operators

Key Takeaways

• Puerto Rico will join the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Programme in June 2026.
• The programme provides one online application to block access to licensed casinos, sports betting sites and other regulated gambling services.
• NVSEP already operates in several US jurisdictions, including California, Michigan and Louisiana.
• The platform was developed by idPair to centralize self-exclusion and streamline compliance for operators.

Puerto Rico Integrates into a Cross-Jurisdiction Self-Exclusion System

Puerto Rico will begin integration into the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Programme in June 2026, according to an announcement by the Comisión de Juegos del Gobierno de Puerto Rico. The move gives residents access to a single online route to exclude themselves from licensed gambling operators covered by the programme.

The National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Programme, or NVSEP, is a centralized system that allows individuals to block their access to casino venues, sports betting websites and other regulated gambling services across participating jurisdictions. Instead of submitting separate requests to different operators or territories, users can complete one online application.

For you as a user of licensed gambling platforms, this means that self-exclusion is handled through one consolidated process rather than through multiple operator-specific procedures. The system is designed to apply across all participating regions.

Regulator Links Expansion to Broader Responsible Gaming Policy

Puerto Rico has expanded its regulated gambling market in recent years, covering casinos, sports betting and other licensed gaming activities. As the market has developed, the local regulator has focused on strengthening responsible gaming measures.

Juan Carlos Santaella Marchán, executive director of the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission, said the agreement supports the territory’s public policy objectives. He stated that the alliance reinforces efforts to maintain a safe and highly regulated gaming industry grounded in responsible gaming practices. He also noted that the goal is to provide accessible tools and resources for individuals seeking support with gambling-related issues.

The regulator described NVSEP as a way to simplify access to protective tools. By offering a clearer and faster process, the system is intended to reduce administrative barriers that may have discouraged some individuals from enrolling in self-exclusion programmes.

How the Unified Application Replaces Fragmented Processes

Before the introduction of centralized systems such as NVSEP, self-exclusion rules were often spread across separate lists, forms and operator procedures. This structure required individuals to contact multiple operators or comply with varying regional requirements, depending on where they were gambling.

According to the information provided, this fragmented setup created friction and could confuse users. In practical terms, players who wanted to restrict their gambling activity might have needed to file separate exclusion requests with different operators or across different territories.

NVSEP aims to remove that friction by unifying enrolment and compliance work. Through a single online application, individuals can request exclusion that applies across participating licensed operators and venues. For operators, the platform centralizes the compliance process by consolidating data handling into one system.

Existing Participating Jurisdictions and Upcoming Additions

The National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Programme was first launched in 2024 as a cross-state platform for regulators and operators in the United States. It is currently active in California, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and Louisiana.

Puerto Rico will join the programme later in 2026. Massachusetts is also expected to follow. With each additional jurisdiction, the system expands its coverage across regulated markets.

For users who engage with licensed gambling services in multiple participating jurisdictions, the cross-jurisdiction design means that one exclusion request can apply more broadly, rather than being limited to a single state or territory.

Technology Provider idPair and Operator Compliance

The NVSEP platform was developed by idPair, a company that builds technology for exclusion lists across different jurisdictions. Its systems are designed to help regulators share data and assist operators in managing compliance requirements through a centralized framework.

Jonathan Aiwazian, CEO of idPair, stated that the platform is intended to simplify self-exclusion for individuals while streamlining processes for operators. From a regulatory perspective, this structure supports coordinated enforcement and standardized procedures across participating regions.

For licensed operators, integration into a shared system can mean aligning internal processes with the centralized database. For users, the impact is primarily procedural: the self-exclusion request is submitted once through a single digital entry point rather than through multiple separate channels.

Our Assessment

Puerto Rico’s decision to join the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Programme extends the reach of a centralized self-exclusion system that already operates in several US jurisdictions. The programme provides one online application to block access to licensed casinos, sports betting sites and other regulated gambling services covered by participating regions. Developed by idPair, the system is designed to unify enrolment and compliance processes. For users in Puerto Rico, the change introduces a single, territory-wide entry point for voluntary self-exclusion within the regulated gambling market.