In this entry8 parts
In Connecticut, a one-year or five-year self-exclusion does not end by itself. It stays in force until the person asks to be taken off the list, and the request is not considered until the chosen term has run out. A lifetime enrolment cannot be removed at all.
That is the whole of CT self-exclusion removal in three sentences. The rest of this entry sets out where each rule comes from, what the removal request involves, and what the exclusion does to online accounts in the meantime. For how the institution works in other states, the Journal's Michigan self-exclusion explainer is the starting point for this series.
How long does a Connecticut self-exclusion last?
A Connecticut self-exclusion runs for one year, five years or a lifetime, and the term chosen at enrolment decides whether removal is ever possible.
The three durations are fixed in Section 12-865-23 of the state regulations, which the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), Gaming Division, administers. The table below sets out how each term ends.
| Term chosen | Ends automatically? | Removal possible? |
|---|---|---|
| One year | No | Yes, by request once the year has lapsed |
| Five years | No | Yes, by request once the five years have lapsed |
| Lifetime | Not applicable | No |
Does a CT self-exclusion end on its own?
No. A one-year or five-year term stays in effect after its end date until the excluded person asks to be removed.
The DCP states this directly in its answer to whether a name can be removed, dated September 2021: the ban continues until the person requests removal at its conclusion. In practice the end date is the earliest moment a request can be made, not the moment play becomes possible again.
When can a removal request be made?
Only after the self-exclusion period has lapsed. The regulation says a request for removal shall not be considered before then.
The applicant acknowledges, at enrolment, that they will remain on the list until a removal request is approved, and that the request waits for the term to end. For a lifetime enrolment the DCP's self-exclusion program page is explicit, as of October 2026: a person who selects lifetime will not be able to remove themselves from the list.
What does the removal request require?
The person must verify their identity in a manner comparable to the verification performed at enrolment.
The list is only reliable if the person leaving it is the person who joined it. Readers comparing states will find a different removal sequence in the Journal's entry on the NJ gambling self-exclusion list.
What happens to online accounts during the exclusion?
Online operators must suspend an excluded person's account within four hours of retrieving the department's daily updated list, or of written notice from the department, whichever comes first.
The regulation also requires operators to compare their accounts to the list at least daily. Two further rules follow the suspension:
- If the patron had a pending sports wager when they self-excluded, the wager is cancelled and the funds are returned to the patron.
- While the account is suspended, the licensee may not send gaming-related communications, advertisements or notices, other than messages solely about account close-out, withdrawals and security.
During the term, the DCP adds that a participant is barred from collecting winnings, recovering losses or accepting complimentary gifts or services.
Where to get help with the Connecticut list
The DCP's Gaming Division runs the list and answers questions about it by email.
Its program page gives dcp.selfexclusion@ct.gov as the address for help. Other state programs and the rules behind them are collected on the Journal's self-exclusion desk.
Questions and answers
Can I remove myself from the Connecticut self-exclusion list early?
No. Under the regulation, a removal request is not considered until the self-exclusion period you chose has lapsed, and you acknowledge this when you enrol.
Does a one-year exclusion in Connecticut expire automatically?
No. The Department of Consumer Protection says one-year and five-year exclusions remain in effect until the person requests removal at the end of the term.
Can a lifetime self-exclusion be lifted in Connecticut?
No. The department states that anyone who selects the lifetime option will not be able to remove themselves from the list.
What happens to winnings while I am self-excluded?
A person on the list is prohibited from collecting winnings, recovering losses or accepting complimentary gifts or services.
References
- Legal Information Institute (text of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies), Conn. Agencies Regs. § 12-865-23 - Voluntary Self-Exclusion Procedures, 2022-02-01
- Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Gaming Division, Self Exclusion, accessed 2026-10-29
- Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Gaming Division, Can my name be removed from the Self-Exclusion List?, 2021-09-30
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