Pennsylvania Rejects Idea to Automatically End Casino Self-Exclusion

Pennsylvania regulators have voted down a proposal that would have provided self-excluding gamblers an easier path to return to state casinos. The revisions would have reduced the processes required by eliminating paperwork.

Regulation #125-130 in Pennsylvania would have changed the state’s self-exclusion removal process for land-based casinos

The proposed Regulation #125-250 would have altered the state’s self-exclusion removal process for land-based casinos to bring it in line with online gaming, fantasy sports betting, and retail video gaming terminals.

Self-imposed bans for players in those other gambling categories automatically end after a certain time period. The user can select to be excluded for one year, five years, or for life.

Unlike other forms of gambling, self-excluding players at casinos must manually remove themselves from the prohibited list after their one- or five-year exclusion terms end.

The proposal to automatically end self-exclusion bans for casino gamblers was originally approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) in August 2024.

However, the idea received negative feedback from gamblers during a public comment period.

During the board’s final meeting of 2024 on Dec. 18, Senior Chief Counsel Robert Wood said the PGCB received 39 comments expressing concerns over the proposal.

The harsh criticism was “overwhelmingly” related to protection of problem gamblers and fears of relapses. The vast majority (around 85%) of those comments came from people with backgrounds in advocacy or counseling services.

Rep. Russ Diamond said automatic removal without bettors’ permission would negatively impact problem gamblers

Furthermore, Pennsylvania Rep. Russ Diamond said in a statement that automatic removal from the self-exclusion list could have caused several issues. The system would have assumed that the self-excluded gambler would have wanted to have their ban lifted.

“The withdrawal of this proposed regulation is a huge win for the protection of our problem gamblers and our counselors and mental health professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that problem gamblers get the help they need,” added Diamond.

“I hope the gaming control board will re-engage in this rulemaking to make the self-exclusion process consistent between all forms of gambling, while protecting our problem gamblers at the same time.

“Removing someone from the self-exclusion list without their request makes it more likely that person is unprotected from further gambling addiction and financial and emotional harm.”

The PGCB will continue to maintain the self-exclusion lists, including the removals of individuals. Operators will also continue to exclude individuals on the self-exclusion list consistent with their present processes.