California Expanding Problem Gambling Help At State Poker Rooms

The state of California is one of the leaders in the casino gambling industry boom over the past decade. Along with being a leader, comes the responsibility of also leading the way when it comes to helping gamblers who may develop addictions in these casinos.

This week, California unveiled a new web-based program that will give all state casinos access to a list of self-excluded gamblers. The gamblers currently have the opportunity to sign up for the program on paper, but now will have the chance to sign up online.

Any individual who wants to enter the self-exclusion program needs to fill out the paper work, have it notarized, and then sent it back to the state. Their name will then appear in a database. Casino employees will have the ability to run a driver's license and verify that their customers are not on the self-exclusion list.

If the picture on the driver's license matches the one in the database, security will then have the authority to escort the self-excluded gambler off of the property. It will be much more advanced than the casino only being able to match names.

"This is the first step to ensuring that these self-excluded gamblers do not have the ability to enter a casino," said Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz. "In some places, the self-exclusion lists exist, but they are impossible for casinos to police. This will make the policing much easier."

The one downfall to the online program is that it will only cover state card rooms. Gamblers who want to be excluded from tribal casinos, the lottery, or horse race gambling will not be covered under the program. Those that do enter the program can choose between a one or three year ban. A lifetime ban is also an option.

Problem gambling has grown in the past decade in the US as the gambling options have expanded. States have been working hard on ensuring that their residents are properly educated on the danger signs of problem gambling. Treatment facilities for gambling addiction have also been added in many of the states where casino gambling has been approved.

August 14, 2010
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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