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Pennsylvania Comes up with Self-Exclusion Scheme to Assist Individuals who Want to “Cool off” from VGT Gambling
August 13, 2019 Aleksandra Zolotic
Aiming to enhance the protection and come up with new measures to assist consumers in experiencing issues when gaming, Pennsylvania has introduced a new self-exclusion program. The strategy targets individuals who wish to withdraw from participating in gambling at video gaming terminals (VGTs).
A qualified truck stop establishment is permitted to operate up to five VGTs that can be used only by individuals at least 21 years of age. By utilizing this convenient tool, consumers will be able to voluntarily restrain themselves from this activity for a defined period of time, which is either one year, five years or a lifetime.
Establishing Strict Rules
Revealing further details of the self-help tool…
…the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) states that operators and establishments must refuse wagers and deny gaming privileges, check cashing, player club hip, complimentary goods, and services to any self-excluded individual.
In addition to this, the content providers must also ensure that self-excluded s do not receive targeted mailings, promotions, player club materials or other promotional content relating to VGT activities.
Severe Punishments
Regarding the introduction of the tool, the PGCB emphasized that…
… “a self-excluded person who has gambled on a VGT while on the self-exclusion list may not collect in any manner or any proceeding any winnings or recover any losses arising as a result of any gaming activity for the entire period that the person is on the self-exclusion list.”
This means that any winnings issued to, found on or about or redeemed by a self-restrained individual shall be paid to the PGCB and utilized for responsible gambling programs. If a person violates the of self-exclusion, he/she may be arrested.
Truck Stop Gambling Coming to an End?
Back in January this year…
…Scott Martin, PA senator introduced a Senate Bill (SB) 87 that would give local communities of this state more control over gambling activities. This means that if the municipality decides to ban truck stop gambling after a license gets issued, then the PGCB would be able to get a refund.
The major issue seems to be persistent VGT pop-up applications which seem to be widely spread. Such aggressive marketing has become the biggest enemy industry-wide, and regulators have been working on stringent rules and strategies to gain maximum control over it.
Until the situation officially resolves…
…the introduction of VGT’s at truck stops around the Keystone State remains in “pending” status. This has been a point of conflict for several areas, with Lancaster County lawmakers keen to opt-out of the market after each of its 60 municipalities previously refused the right to host mini-casinos.
Source:
“Pennsylvania launches VGT self-exclusion scheme”, casinobeats.com, August 12, 2019.
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Measures like this are always welcomed and necessary. Some people simply cannot deal with issues themselves, that’s why these strategies are so useful.