Responsible gaming used to be neglected in gambling legislation not too long ago, but fortunately, things are now changing.
Although responsible gaming policies are now recognized as a fundamental component of sound gambling legislation, there remains a considerable amount of work yet to be accomplished.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s (PGCB) new online gambling self-exclusion program exemplifies both positive and negative aspects.
Let’s start with the good
Pennsylvania’s self-exclusion program offers numerous benefits, with one notable advantage being the option to conveniently self-exclude online via the PGCB website.
The feeling of embarrassment commonly linked to self-exclusion in face-to-face situations is eradicated through online exclusion.
The choice is another praiseworthy feature, with Pennsylvania providing options for one-year, five-year, and lifetime exclusions. Additionally, online players can activate a shorter, less formal “cooling-off period” through the gambling website.
In an interview with Play Pennsylvania, Marlene Warner, the executive director of Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling, emphasized the significance of choice in ensuring the effectiveness of a responsible gaming program.
I find it highly beneficial to provide them with a wide range of term lengths. At present, we grant them the flexibility to choose between six months, one year, three years, five years, and upon successful completion of any of these terms, even a lifetime option.
Warner emphasizes the significance of choice as a fundamental aspect of a responsible gaming program, as you will soon discover.
Where the new Pennsylvania responsible gaming policy falls short
Regrettably, the new self-exclusion system fails to encompass a comprehensive prohibition on gambling within the state.
In all fairness, the issue of burdensome and partial self-exclusion is not exclusive to Pennsylvania; it has been a persistent problem within the gambling industry for a long time.
Keith Whyte, the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), informed PlayNJ.com in November 2017 that
As an NGO that collaborates with various stakeholders such as operators, regulators, vendors, manufacturers, and gamblers, we strongly advocate for voluntary harmonization. Our approach involves convening all these entities to develop voluntary national standards. Subsequently, we strive to foster widespread adoption of these standards among all stakeholders, ensuring their implementation in operations, regulations, and product design.
Although PA’s online self-exclusion program encompasses all PA online gambling sites, it does not include land-based casino gambling, daily fantasy sports (DFS), or online lottery.
Instead of implementing a streamlined process to simplify self-exclusion, Pennsylvania is opting for an excessively burdensome approach.
How many times do I have to self-exclude?
To exclude oneself from all gambling options within the state, an individual must file for self-exclusion individually from:
- Casinos
- iGaming
- Fantasy sports
- VGTs
- PA Lottery
Pennsylvania alone has a multitude of gaming regulatory agencies, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. According to Whyte, there are approximately 1,000 such agencies responsible for overseeing both commercial and tribal gaming across the country. Each agency operates under its own unique set of rules and maintains distinct lists.
A resident of Philadelphia could potentially do the following in a single day:
- Tour a casino located in Pennsylvania.
- Travel for approximately an hour to reach a casino located in Atlantic City.
- Make sure to make a pit stop at convenience stores on your journey to enter your Pennsylvania and New Jersey lottery numbers.
- Experience online gambling in the state of New Jersey.
Our fictional gambler now has the option to engage in various forms of online gambling in NJ and PA, including sports betting, DFS, and online lottery games in PA. However, it is important to note that if our gambler wishes to self-exclude, they would have to do so separately for each activity.
Gorilla Or Buffalo Ways
Custom exclusion would also help
Another drawback of the PA self-exclusion program is its lack of flexibility in terms of allowing gamblers to personalize their exclusions based on their preferences. Once again, offering individuals the freedom to choose would be the most effective approach, and providing more options, such as the choice to not exclude oneself, could potentially make the self-exclusion program more appealing to a wider range of individuals.
Certain individuals may face difficulties only in specific types of gambling, such as a poker enthusiast who finds it challenging to resist the temptation of casino games after consuming alcohol or a sports bettor who wishes to avoid receiving promotions related to slot games.
Regrettably, at present, there is no middle ground.
Warner suggested that in Massachusetts, if sports betting is introduced, customers should have the choice to participate in the existing statewide VSE system. The same option should be extended to online gaming as well. Warner emphasized that customers should have a unified process, but if feasible, they should also be able to select specific types of gaming to exclude themselves from, based on available technology.
Warner further commented that implementing a complete ban on gambling, which includes forfeiting any rewards points, might be too extreme for certain individuals who engage in gambling.
Based on anecdotal evidence and a limited study conducted in Massachusetts, it is evident that individuals have a desire to redeem points (which are forfeited upon entering a voluntary self-exclusion program, or VSE). They also express a wish to access properties in Las Vegas and other vacation destinations (some companies extend the VSE to all their properties), as well as continue enjoying local jurisdiction’s restaurants and shows. Additionally, it is worth noting that most individuals who gamble do so with someone else and prefer to keep their excessive gambling habits hidden from them.
Several solutions exist
Casinos can get proactive
Casinos have the ability to handle the situation independently.
The Q&A section on the PGCB website highlights that operators have the flexibility to surpass the PGCB policy by excluding gamblers from numerous venues and/or jurisdictions.
The “iGaming Self-Exclusion List” established by the PGCB does not completely prohibit players from participating in any gambling establishments in Pennsylvania. Nevertheless, individual gaming providers can implement more stringent self-exclusion measures that extend to all types of gambling at their venues, such as casino gaming, horse racing, and iGaming in other jurisdictions.
According to Warner, there are plans underway in Massachusetts to establish a regional Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) program. This program would enable individuals to exclude themselves from all the regional casinos including those in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. This development could potentially encourage operators in other states to adopt a similar approach.
Technology can help
The NCPG has given its endorsement to a product known as GameSecure.
With GameSecure, gamblers can conveniently self-exclude themselves from all online gambling sites within a specific jurisdiction simultaneously. This eliminates the need to individually exclude themselves from each company’s site or, in the case of PA, from each gambling category.
The root of the problem: stigma
Additionally, there is the social stigma associated with self-exclusion that Warner hinted at, which involves the reluctance to let others become aware of the extent to which one’s gambling habits have become problematic.
Warner elaborated on the triumph of the GameSense program implemented in Massachusetts, highlighting its significant impact in dispelling negative perceptions.
We strongly believe that a remarkable aspect of our GameSense Information Centers in Massachusetts is the extensive involvement of our GameSense Advisors (GSAs) in conducting almost all of the Voluntary Self-Exclusions (VSEs). What makes this truly amazing is their customer-centric approach, enabling them to dedicate as much time as necessary to each patron. This empowers them to truly understand the underlying issues and guide individuals towards external resources that are tailored to their specific circumstances. Additionally, we are also providing training to clinicians, who will be able to carry out VSEs as part of our clinical efforts.
