The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board recently revealed 20,000 people have enrolled in its program to exclude themselves from casinos throughout the state.
Kicking the Habit
States that allow online and land-based casino gaming offer self-exclusion tools for those who believe they have a gambling problem and want to be prohibited from betting. The programs are voluntary and have varying lengths of time as to how long one can exclude themselves from those casinos located within that particular state.
Keystone State is no exception to the rule and although it has demonstrated robust numbers for retail casino gambling and Pennsylvania sports betting, there are now 20,000 people in the state who have chosen to exempt themselves from what most other people consider a recreational activity.
Established in 2006, Pennsylvania’s self-exclusion program offers one-year, five-year, and lifetime bans. The program has proved to be an effective tool in allowing problem gamblers to seek help without the temptation of the bright lights of a casino beckoning.
Those who have placed themselves on the list are prohibited from entering the grounds of Pennsylvania casino and criminal trespass charges can be pressed while any gambling winnings will be confiscated. These tools have proven to be quite effective in curtailing problem gamblers from re-engaging in old bad habits that are hard to break.
The Director of the Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling (OCPG), Elizabeth Lanza, insists the programs have greatly assisted patrons who have placed themselves on the list. “The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board encourages anyone who thinks they may have a gambling problem to seek treatment and consider taking advantage of the voluntary Self-Exclusion Programs,” she said.
What Do the Numbers Tell Us?
Among the 20,000 individuals enrolled, 12,811 are male and 7,189 are female spanning the spectrum of 21 to 102 years of age. Of those enrolled, 21% (4,335) have chosen a lifetime ban and 1,026 individuals have reenrolled in the program after removing their names from the list while 307 selected a lifetime ban upon re-enrollment.
While this particular program focuses solely on retail gaming, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board also offers self-exclusion programs for other forms of gambling like iGaming that currently has 3,778 enrollees, and 1,467 have enrolled to exclude themselves from video gaming terminals. Another 797 people have opted out of fantasy sports.
Kevin O’Toole, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, states, “Responsible gambling is a top priority for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The Board’s Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling works diligently to provide assistance to individuals who are unable to keep their gambling at a responsible level. Prevention tools and low-to-no-cost treatment options are available and effective.”
According to Pennsylvania’s responsible play website, Keystone State residents can sign up for the Casino, iGaming, VGT, and/or Fantasy Self-Exclusion Programs on the PGCB website. They may also enroll by scheduling an appointment at a PGCB office or by visiting a PGCB office located in a licensed facility.
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