Question of the Day - 12 May 2019

We've broken up the answer to this question into two parts. Today, we delve into what casino self-exclusion programs are and how they operate. Tomorrow, we examine whether or not these programs work and if the system can be beaten. 

Carol O’Hare, executive director of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, tells us, “Nevada Gaming Regulation 5.170 requires gaming licensees to offer a program where a person can request they no longer receive credit, check-cashing privileges, and direct-mail marketing at a casino property. This has been nicknamed the ’self-limit’ clause and it does not require them to ban anyone from the casino as is the case in a  self-exclusion program. Nevada does not require any gaming company to offer self-exclusion, but there may be some that do because they also operate in jurisdictions where self-exclusion is a required program.”

Nevada regulations state, “Each licensee that engages in the issuance of credit, check cashing, or direct mail marketing of gaming opportunities, shall implement a program detailing thee elements described below, as appropriate, that allows patrons to self-limit their access to the issuance of credit, check cashing, or direct mail marketing by that licensee. As appropriate, such program shall contain, at a minimum, the following: (a) The development of written materials for dissemination to patrons explaining the program; (b) The development of written forms allowing patrons to participate in the program; (c) Standards and procedures that allow a patron to be prohibited from access to check cashing, the issuance of credit, and participation in direct mail marketing of gaming activities; (d) Standards and procedures that allow a part to be removed from the licensee’s direct mailing and other direct marketing regarding gaming at that licensee’s location; (e) Procedures and forms requiring the patron to notify a designated office of the licensee within 10 days of the patron’s receipt of any financial gaming privilege, material or promotion covered by the program.

O’Hare adds, “Caesars [Entertainment] has a company-wide self-exclusion program, where if you sign up at any Caesars location, they will enter you in their database for exclusion at all of their properties.”

It’s a uniform, as opposed to state-by-state, policy that's networked through every Caesars casino. According to Caesars’ Dean Hestermann, it’s so fast that if you enter yourself into the database at Caesars Palace, the information will be recorded and disseminated as quickly as it will take you to walk across the street to Harrah’s. Hestermann adds that the company isn’t trying to dictate players’ behavior so much as to help the players change their own behavior.

At a Caesars property, you can sign up for a one-year, five-year, or lifetime 86 status. The company doesn’t try to weed self-excluded players out of the millions crossing the transom (as Japan will shortly try to do), but if you win a jackpot, request a comp, or use your players card, you’ll be flagged and escorted off the property.

Another company with a self-exile policy is Boyd Gaming. Or should we say “policies,” since Boyd tailors what it does to the rules of each state in which it operates.

“Many states outside of Nevada,” says Boyd Director of Corporate Communications David Strow, “have a formal self-exclusion program. Under this program, customers who voluntarily place themselves on this list are not permitted on the property of any casino in that state. If they're caught in a casino in that state, a self-excluded customer is subject to arrest and confiscation of winnings. Terms vary by state. In some, the self-exclude is effective for a few years, while in others, it's a lifetime ban (and cannot be revoked). Self-exclusion lists and programs are maintained by the state and shared with casinos throughout that state."