The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission rolled out its National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program yesterday. The state partnered with idPair, a tech firm that’s handled similar launches across the region.
Casey Ricketts runs the NRGC as executive director. He said the commission wants to “strengthen player protection” through this new platform. The program covers all regulated gaming sites in Nebraska, from casinos to horse racing tracks.
idPair CEO Jonathan Aiwazian confirmed the partnership. His company’s already running Wyoming’s exclusion system, which went live two weeks ago.
Why Nebraska Needed This Protection Tool
State regulators saw a gap in support for problem gamblers. Players could ask individual casinos to ban them, but no unified system existed.
That meant someone excluded from one venue could still access others. The NVSEP fixes this issue. One enrollment blocks access across every regulated site in Nebraska. It also connects to other states using the same platform.
Ricketts called this “lowering barriers to help.” The old system required separate applications at each location. Now it takes one online form.
What Players Get Through This Program
Anyone can sign up through idPair’s web portal. The process includes identity checks and lets people choose how long they want exclusion to last. Once enrolled, participants can’t enter Nebraska’s casinos. They’re also blocked from pari-mutuel betting at tracks.
The system works immediately after verification completes.
Wyoming’s version, which started December 8, covers more gambling types. That state includes online sports betting and skill-based games. Nebraska’s scope stays limited to physical venues for now. Both states reflect what the NRGC calls “inter-jurisdictional cooperation” in the Plains region.
Other nearby states might adopt similar systems.
How This Changes Gaming Oversight
Nebraska’s moving faster than most jurisdictions on player safety. The quick launch shows regulators can implement protection tools without years of planning. Aiwazian mentioned the company’s “streamlined launch process” helped speed things up.
He wants other states to follow this example. “We hope Nebraska’s example inspires other jurisdictions to prioritise implementation and expand these protections for more people,” he said.
The timing matters. Ontario’s AGCO just announced standards for its own centralised exclusion system on December 18. That program won’t launch until 2026, though.
Nebraska’s already operational.
This regional approach could pressure other states to act. Players who’ve excluded themselves in one jurisdiction expect similar protections when they cross state lines. The NRGC stated both launches show a growing trend toward cooperation throughout the Plains region and beyond.
