PA Gaming Control Board Self Exclusion gets a Touchup
In a recent press release, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board unveiled a new self-exclusion portal to enhance responsible gambling in the state. According to the release, the online portal was redesigned to improve user-friendliness and make it easier for problem gamblers to access the help they need. This redesign was necessary as the Self-Exclusion program was initially limited to land-based casinos. However, the new forms of gaming allowed by 2017’s Gaming Expansion Act meant a broader gaming database, temptations, and increased problem gambling.
The new portal is more streamlined, allowing you to choose what type of self-exclusion help you need from the following categories:
- Casinos
- Interactive Gambling, including online sports betting
- Video Gaming Terminals
- Fantasy Contests
The beauty of this is that it allows players to address their specific gambling problems rather than issuing a blanket ban on all gambling activities. For instance, given smartphones’ widespread ownership and availability, most players patronize PA online casinos rather than their land-based counterparts. Consequently, since it is their Achilles heel, iGaming players battling problem gambling may exclude themselves from online casinos, sports betting, and mobile gaming activities.
The portal allows you to do the following:
- 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 your self-exclusion documents and status in real time;
- update your personal information (i.e., name change/address change); and,
- access links to gambling disorder information and the helpline.
Enrolling on the portal is straightforward and can be completed using a smartphone. The requirements for enrollment are a valid government-issued ID, a selfie, and a Lexis Nexis verification. Excluding yourself gives you the freedom to choose the length of your exclusion period and when to return.
The Self Exclusion online portal also provides detailed guides on enrolling and opting out of the self-exclusion service. Most importantly, the portal includes a list of gambling resources to help players identify if they have a gambling problem and guide them through recovery where necessary. Users can also find guides and explainers in the frequently asked questions (FAQs) section on the website or reach out to the support team through www.ResponsiblePlay.pa.gov, or call 1-800-GAMBLER, text 800GAM, or chat through http://www.1800gamblerchat.org/.
In addition to the online portal, PA casino lovers experiencing gambling addictions can also enroll in the exclusion program by scheduling an appointment at the PGCB office or contacting the Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling at 717-346-8300 or emailing [email protected].
Partnering With Gaming Platforms to Fight Problem Gambling
Allowing users to exclude themselves from gambling when it stops being fun is one of the ways the PGCB ensures a safe and entertaining industry. The gaming authority also partners with casino operators through its Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling (OCPG). The partnership between OCPG and casinos mandates all operators to have comprehensive plans for addressing problem gambling. These plans must be approved by the OCPG and detail the following:
- 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.
Other problem gambling initiatives by the OCPG include the “What’s Really at Stake” and “Don’t Gamble With Kids” campaigns, which seek to educate the public on the health and social disadvantages of not gambling responsibly. Online gaming platforms also provide players with alternative options, such as limiting their deposits, wagers, and the time spent playing online. A dedicated self-exclusion portal demonstrates the PGCB’s commitment to enthroning responsible gaming in Pennsylvania while ensuring players needing help can access it.
Violating the terms of your exclusion exposes you to several punitive measures, such as confiscation of your winnings, criminal trespass charges, and being placed on the involuntary list. These measures help to keep you in check and ensure you achieve your goals. As the gaming world gets more engaging, deploying security and risk-limiting measures is essential to keep us in control of our funds and time.