In a letter obtained by Family News in Focus, the Illinois State Lottery Control Board is promising to put a self exclusion program together by early next year. The idea is to offer problem gamblers a way to resist the temptation posed by the lottery. But, Guy Clark of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, is lukewarm in his optimism.

“In some circumstances it seems to help some folks stay away. Just about any barrier that can be constructed to try to make it harder for them to gamble is helpful.”

Illinois is modeling its program after Iowa’s, the only other state with such a program. It’s impossible to stop anyone from buying the tickets, but the state will not pay out a winner over $600.

“It sounds like it’s okay for you to lose money, we’re not going to track you if you lose money, but if you win a lot then we’re going to come out against you.”

Chad Hills of Focus on the Family Action says if a problem gambler want’s to gamble, he will find a way.

“Even on behalf of the lottery, it’s still a big PR piece to try to convey to the public that they care about problem gambling.”

In 2005, the people of Illinois spent 1.8 billion dollars on the state lottery.