Enhanced Tools Help People Self Exclude For Gambling In PA.

Written by Alex Lloyd Gross, July 12, 2023


by Alex Lloyd Gross

July 12, 2023

Some people are addicted to gambling. Others wager too much and endanger their lives by betting the rent/food money, only to lose it in a hand of 21 or in a slot machine.  Some folks are smart enough to know they have a problem and get on a list to exclude themselves from any casino in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

For those people, there are enhanced tool do help these folks.

Individuals who wish to enroll online for a self-exclusion program can now simply complete the enrollment online by going to https://responsibleplay.pa.gov. At that site, individuals can:

 

 

 

 

  • enroll in one, several, or all self-exclusion programs;
  • request removal from the casino self-exclusion program;
  • extend the period of their self-exclusion ban period;
  • view their self-exclusion documents and status in real-time;
  • update their personal information (i.e. name change/address change); and,
  • access links to gambling disorder information and the helpline.

 

For identity verification purposes and to ensure confidentiality, individuals enrolling in a self-exclusion program must upload a “selfie” picture, a picture of their photo ID, and must receive Lexis Nexis verification during the enrollment process.

The Self-Exclusion programs are just one of the ways in which the Board’s Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling (“OCPG”) is making sure that gaming is fair and safe. The Director of the OCPG also ensures that the casinos and the online gaming operators have an approved compulsive and problem gambling plan. Each plan details:

 

  • the training of casino and online operator employees on the signs and symptoms of gambling disorder and responsible gaming programs;
  • policies and procedures on identifying those with potential harmful behavior and the identification and removal of underage, self-excluded, and excluded individuals who have engaged in gaming activities;
  • responsible advertising policies;
  • the casino and online operator’s participation in outreach programs.

 

In addition, all online games (casino-type, sports wagering and fantasy) have options on their sites that would enable the player to place self-imposed limits on deposits, wagers, spend and play time.

 

The OCPG has also worked with the PGCB’s Office of Communications to develop the public health educational campaigns, “What’s Really at Stake” and “Don’t Gamble with Kids”.

 

For more information on available treatment services, including state funded one-on-one counseling services and Gamblers Anonymous schedules, visit the OCPG’s website, www.ResponsiblePlay.pa.gov, or call 1-800-GAMBLER, text 800GAM, or chat through http://www.1800gamblerchat.org/.