Gambling disorder now included in Illinois substance use regulations

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has signed Senate Bill 2749, which amends the Substance Use Disorder Act to include services for persons with gambling disorders. The bipartisan legislation requires the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) to collaborate with the State Board of Education in the development of instructional resources for substance use or gambling disorder prevention and awareness that may be used by school districts. It also permits the DHS to cooperate with institutions of higher education in the development of programs on substance use and gambling disorders; and requires DHS to promote public awareness regarding the impact of gambling disorders. Gambling disorder has been an official psychiatric diagnosis since it was classified in the DSM‐5 in 2013.