Pennsylvania Proposes Automatic Casino Reentry for Self-Excluded Gamblers

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has proposed a controversial change to its self-exclusion policy for problem gamblers. The adjustment would allow individuals to reenter casinos automatically once their self-imposed bans expire, eliminating the current requirement to request removal from the exclusion list. Critics argue this modification could increase relapse risks for those struggling with gambling addiction.

Currently, self-exclusion bans for online gaming, video gaming terminals, and fantasy sports betting lift automatically upon expiration, while bans for physical casinos require manual removal. The PGCB’s proposal aims to align these rules across all gambling platforms.

State Senator Wayne Fontana has expressed concerns about the move, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals. “It should be on the individual to say, ‘I want to be on that list, and I want to stay on that list until I tell you I don’t want to be on the list anymore,’” said Fontana, who also introduced a bill earlier this year to prohibit gambling companies from marketing directly to individuals on self-exclusion lists.

Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until November 26, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to weigh in on this divisive issue.

Debate Over Impact on Problem Gamblers

The proposed change has sparked significant opposition from addiction experts and advocacy groups. Joshua Ercole, Executive Director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvaniahttps://www.pacouncil.com/ , emphasized the potential harm to individuals in recovery. “If we take steps to reduce some of the restrictions and make it easier for them to go back to the location or site where they experienced issues, it’s just kind of working in the opposite way that the program should be,” he said.

Prominent gambling addiction specialist Jody Bechtold has also voiced her concerns, describing automatic removal as a dangerous precedent. Bechtold, who is the CEO of The Better Institute, highlighted the pitfalls of similar policies for online gambling. “I’ve seen it firsthand multiple times when [the ban] expires. For the online [gaming], people literally go gamble again. They lose a ton of money because they haven’t gambled in a while, and then they feel more shame, more guilt,” she explained.

Bechtold believes a manual process for reentry allows individuals to make deliberate decisions about their recovery. She recommends self-exclusion periods of at least one year, followed by reassessing personal readiness to gamble again.

Elizabeth Lanza, director of the PGCB’s Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling, acknowledged that self-exclusion is not a comprehensive solution to addiction. “Self-exclusion is definitely something that can help with that temptation to go to a casino or to go online, but it certainly is not treatment, and it will not help the underlying issues that cause the addiction,” Lanza said.

istrative Challenges Versus Risks

The PGCB has justified the proposed change as a response to istrative burdens. According to Communications Director Doug Harbach, staff must currently investigate cases where self-excluded individuals unlawfully enter casinos, including reviewing surveillance footage to determine whether confiscated winnings can be returned. Harbach noted that these investigations can take hours, sometimes for as little as $100.

However, critics like Bechtold argue that the istrative burden pales in comparison to the risks posed to individuals. “I would rather have that problem than people that kill themselves because they were removed from the list,” she said, emphasizing gambling’s high suicide rates.

Gambling Revenue and Responsibility

In 2023, Pennsylvania’s gambling industry generated $5.6 billion in revenue, a nearly 10% increase from the previous year. Senator Fontana stressed that while the state benefits financially from gaming, it has a responsibility to prioritize consumer protection. “As the state, we’re partners with the gaming industry. We get a piece of the action, but we’re supposed to be responsible. We’re supposed to make it responsible,” he said.

Bechtold concluded by urging the state to reconsider the proposal, stating that automatic removal undermines efforts to address gambling-related harm. “If the state doesn’t change this policy, it’s really showing that it’s not doing its job of protecting the consumer,” she said.

Source:

“State may loosen rules for future problem bettors entering casinos”, unionprogress.com, November 12, 2024.