Question of the Day - 13 May 2019

Yesterday, we took a general look at casino self-exclusion programs. Today, we answer the question of how effective they are.

“Some states (Louisiana and Mississippi, for example) offer patrons the option of selecting self-limit or self-exclude (or both),” writes Boyd Gaming spokesman David Strow. “Self-limit works the same way -- if a customer puts in a self-limit request in one state, we share that information across the portfolio (and won’t grant services to a customer who is on that list). However, to clarify, we will not force customers to stop gambling unless they are specifically on a self-exclude list.

“When we receive information that customers have self-excluded, we share that information across our company. Customers won’t be arrested for violating self-exclusion if they aren't on that state’s list, but we will advise them they need to stop gambling if we learn they are on property (and will trespass them if necessary).

“And, of course, we do encourage customers to call their state’s problem-gambling helpline,” Strow concludes, “if they believe they have a gambling problem and are seeking assistance.”

Sound advice, wherever you happen to be.

As for the effectiveness of self-exclusion, executive director of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling Carol O’Hare tells us, “Self-exclusion programs are not meant to be an intervention to prevent someone from gambling, but rather, they are a supportive tool for the individual who has made a personal commitment that they no longer want to gamble. So the effectiveness of self-exclusion programs starts with the person's own motivation when they sign up. 

“People who have recognized they have a gambling disorder and are seeking treatment and support to stop gambling may find self-exclusion to be a useful tool for their own personal accountability to their recovery,” she continues. “If they do have urges to gamble, they know that violating the voluntary self-exclusion agreement could result in embarrassing consequences, such as being charged with trespass. I have heard from some people that this is a very helpful 'speed bump' that causes them to think carefully and find other resources to resist the urge to gamble.  Self-exclusion can also be a way for gamblers to demonstrate to their loved ones, employer, etc., that they are truly committed to their recovery.”

How effective are self-exile programs?

Arnie Wexler, founder of 1-800-LAST-BET, says it’s up to the individual player. Wexler should know: He was the first American to exclude himself at a casino, showing up at 7 a.m. the day the policy went into effect in Atlantic City. (He admits he was doing it to publicize the milestone.)

He cites the case of a woman who, having banned herself in New Jersey, went to Philadelphia and hit a jackpot. She tried plunking her boyfriend down in front of the slot machine so he could collect the money, but she didn't reckon on the eye in the sky, which recorded her win. When the casino called her bluff, she tore off her wig and fled.

A doctor who was self-exiled in Iowa tried his luck in Mississippi and won big, only to have state regulators confiscate the payday and donate it to charity.

As Wexler puts it, exclusion lists “are a bigger benefit to the casino than to the player. The casino gets to keep the money.”

So think about that if you’re on the list and are tempted to challenge the house anyway.