The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Wednesday announced receipt of the 20,000th voluntary request for enrollment in its Casino Self-Exclusion Program. Being added to the list prevents individuals from entering and participating in gaming activities at Pennsylvania casinos and retail sports wagering locations.
“The Casino Self-Exclusion Program, along with the agency’s three other self-exclusion programs, are effective and proven tools that allow for individuals to regain control over their lives, and to learn about other recovery resources,” said PGCB Director of the Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling Elizabeth Lanza in a statement. “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.”
The Casino Self-Exclusion Program was launched in 2006. Individuals can ask to be banned from casinos or retail wagering locations for one or five years, or request a lifetime ban. In 2019, the PGCB added self-exclusion lists for igaming, video gaming terminals, and fantasy sports.
When a person is on a list, gaming operators must refuse wagers and deny to them player club memberships, check cashing privileges, complimentary goods and services, and junket participation, to those excluded. Self-excluded individuals may be charged with criminal trespass for entering a Pennsylvania casino and have gambling winnings related to any visits confiscated.
Of the 20,000 who have requested to be placed on the Casino Self-Exclusion Program list, 21% (4,335) chose lifetime bans. There are 12,811 men and 7,189 women enrolled in the program, ranging in age from 21 to 102. Also, 1,026 individuals who have removed their names from the list have decided to reenroll in the program, including 307 who chose lifetime bans when reenrolling.
