One-thousandth Request Added To PA Gaming Control Board's Casino Self Exclusion List

HARRISBURG, PA: The one-thousandth request to be registered with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s successful voluntary Self-Exclusion Program has been received.

The Self Exclusion Program, which began in late 2006, assists problem gamblers who choose to ban themselves from gambling at Pennsylvania casinos. Once a person is placed on the Self-Exclusion List, gaming facilities in the Commonwealth must:

Refuse wagers from and deny any gaming privileges to a self-excluded person.
Deny check cashing privileges, player club membership, complimentary goods and services, junket participation and other similar privileges and benefits to a self-excluded person.
Ensure that self excluded persons do not receive junket solicitations, targeted mailings, telemarketing promotions, player club materials or other promotional materials relating to gaming activities at its licensed facility.
Notify the Pennsylvania State Police of violations of the ban. A self-excluded individual who violates the ban will be subject to arrest and charged with trespass.

"The Self-Exclusion Program is an effective and proven tool to assist a problem gambler in removing himself or herself from the temptation of gambling," said Nanette Horner, Director of the Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling.

Horner also released new data from the PGCB’s Self-Exclusion Program. Individuals voluntarily supplied this data during the self-exclusion intake interview:

28% have chosen the lifetime ban
48% of the individuals on the Self-Exclusion List are male and 52% are female.
Individuals on this list range between 21 and 78 years of age
For those that provided responses, approximately 38% of the self-excluded individuals are currently involved in a treatment program (including Gamblers Anonymous) or have sought treatment in the past
For those that provided responses, nearly 11% have been self excluded in other jurisdictions such as New Jersey and Delaware
For those that provided responses, 80% of self-excluded persons participated in gambling at a PA casino prior to signing up for the Board's Self-Exclusion Program.

Individuals who wish to place themselves on the Self-Exclusion List can obtain the request and instructions by visiting the Gaming Control Board web site, www.pgcb.state.pa.us, and choosing the Compulsive and Problem Gambling link located under the Gaming menu. In addition, videos and information on the operation of the PGCB, problem gambling efforts and assistance, future meeting schedules and past meeting transcripts, and a link to request a speaker are among the many items available to the public on the web site.

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