Many people helped by PGCB self-ban list

Over 50 people want to take advantage of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board's new Self-Exclusion Program. The program was introduced last year and since its introduction 52 people with gambling problems requested to be banned entry from all gaming activities at all licensed facilities within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

The ban can be applied for one year, five years, or a lifetime. When a person is introduced on the list, licensed Pennsylvania gaming facilities are obliged to:

- Refuse wagers from any person present on the list and deny them any gambling privileges.

- Deny player club membership, check cashing privileges, complimentary goods and services, junket participation and other similar privileges to any person present on the list.

- Make sure that the people present on the list do not receive promotional materials relating to gaming activities: junket solicitations, targeted mailings, telemarketing promotions, player club materials, and so on.

- Notify Pennsylvania State Police if someone violates the rules. It will be considered trespassing if a person who is on the list visits any gambling facility located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

This program is considered a great initiative by many people because it helps the ones who are in need. The media has covered this subject very much and since then more and more people expressed their desire to join the program.

The Director of the Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling, Nanette Horner, said that Gaming Control Board is researching for new methods to help the people who suffer from gambling problems, and to raise the awareness of this problem.

Horner also said that this program is a great method of assisting a gambler to remove himself/herself from the gambling temptations. The ones that are in this program, said that the program helped them because now they no longer think about gambling.

In 2001 the program was applied in New Jersey and till 2007, 580 members chose the life ban. Additional data from the Pennsylvania’s Self-Exclusion Program:

- There are 26 males and 26 females on the ban list

- The people in the list range between 27 and 78 years of age

- Approximately 52% of these people are in a treatment program, such as Gamblers Anonymous

- Almost 35% have been excluded in other jurisdictions such as Delaware and New Jersey

- Before signing to the program, 50 of the 52 self-excluded persons participated in gambling in a PA casino

These people liked to gamble on slot machines, table games, card games, video poker, keno, horse racing, lottery and sports betting. If anyone wants to join the list he can do it on this website: PGCB.state.pa.us, and click on the link located at the bottom of the page.

Then he/she must contact the board to schedule an interview. They also receive materials and information regarding assistance and treatment options that are available. The site also contains additional information and links regarding gambling problems.