The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board made an official announcement on June 5, 2024, stating that their self-exclusion program had successfully enrolled 20,000 members within the state.
In 2006, a regulation was implemented requiring casinos in the state to offer a self-exclusion option. As part of the responsible gambling initiative, players have the opportunity to voluntarily exclude themselves from participating in gambling activities within the state.
Individuals who opt for this choice will voluntarily exclude themselves from engaging in any form of gambling within the state, encompassing both casino games and sports betting. The program offers a range of alternatives, enabling players to select ban durations that span from one year to their entire lifetime.
After activating self-exclusion, individuals in Pennsylvania cannot receive gambling services from casinos, nor can they access the casino premises. Should an excluded player attempt to enter a casino, they may be subject to criminal charges for trespassing.
Elizabeth Lanza, the director of the Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling (OCPG), stated:
The Casino Self-Exclusion Program, together with the agency’s three additional self-exclusion programs, have proven to be effective tools enabling individuals to regain control of their lives and discover other avenues of recovery. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board strongly urges anyone who suspects a gambling problem to seek treatment and seriously consider benefiting from the voluntary Self-Exclusion Programs.
Here are some intriguing details about self-exclusion:
It took 17 years for the number of self-excluded gamblers in Pennsylvania to reach 20,000. Out of these 20,000 individuals, only 4,335 or 21% opted for the permanent ban.
Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the program comprises a larger proportion of male individuals. A staggering 13,000 men have enrolled for self-exclusion, whereas a comparatively lesser number of 7,189 women have taken part. In regard to age diversity, the program accommodates participants ranging from 21, the youngest, to 102, the oldest.
Despite the program’s remarkable success, the number of re-enrollments at the 20,000 milestone is relatively low, with only 1,026 individuals choosing to participate again. Out of these, 307 individuals have opted for a lifetime ban.
