More than 20,000 consumers in Pennsylvania have voluntarily requested to exclude from gambling since the state’s self-exclusion scheme launched in 2006.
Players that register with the Casino Self-Exclusion Program are banned from entering and gambling at casinos or retail sports betting locations. Consumers can choose to self-exclude for one year, five years or their entire life.
Those that breach their ban by entering a gambling facility could be charged with criminal trespass and have any gambling winnings confiscated related to that casino visit.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) said the program registered its 20,000th self-exclusion on June 5.
Of those that have self-excluded from gambling, 21% opted for a lifetime ban, while 1,026 chose to re-enroll in the program after previously removing their name from the list.
A total of 12,811 males and 7,189 females are currently registered on the list, with their ages ranging from 21 to 102.
To assist those who wish to ban themselves from other types of gambling, the PGCB rolled out a number of additional self-exclusion programs in 2019.
Other schemes include a program targeted at igaming, which currently has 3,778 registered members. A video gaming terminal list has 1,467 registrations and a dedicated fantasy sports self-exclusion program 797 members.
“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,” Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling director Elizabeth Lanza said.
“The PGCB encourages anyone who thinks they may have a gambling problem to seek treatment and consider taking advantage of the voluntary Self-Exclusion Programs.”