Ban Yourself From Gambling
In July 2002, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) launched a Statewide Casino Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (SEP) for Problem Gamblers that allows persons who have determined they are problem gamblers to self-exclude themselves from all Illinois casinos. On June 28, 2019 the Sports Wagering Act was signed into law. Feb 26, 2021 Feb. 25—The owners of Windfall Amusements 777 Casino in Kenhorst were charged with operating an illegal gambling operation Wednesday, the Berks County Detectives Office reported Thursday. Charged were David Scott Hutchinson, 50, of Jordan Creek, Ga.; Nayhyum Hutchinson, 49, and Sean Sang Lee, 49, both of Exeter Township, and Matthew Kyle Shepherd, 35, of Jefferson, Ga. The Hutchinsons.
Voluntary Exclusion Program
Purpose
As a result of legislation passed in 2003, the IGC maintains the Voluntary Exclusion Program (VEP) allowing individuals to self exclude from all Indiana casinos by completing just one form. The VEP went into effect on July 1, 2004.
Enrollment
A person may sign up at any Indiana casino, at the IGC office in Indianapolis or with a designated problem gambling treatment provider for one year, five years or lifetime exclusion. The list of excluded persons is confidential. In order to sign up for the VEP, an interested participant must fill out a Request for Voluntary Exclusion form in person, witnessed by a gaming agent or IGC designee. The participant must complete the form of their own free will and not be under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or prescription medication. Once enrolled, it is the responsibility of the VEP participant to stay away from gaming areas of the casinos. A photograph will be taken at the time the person requests voluntary exclusion.
Our office is open during the hours of 8:15 A.M. to 4:45 P.M.
For your convenience, please call 317-234-3600 to ensure that someone is available to process your application.
Removal
A person may, upon the expiration of the selected term of voluntary exclusion, request removal of his or her name from the Voluntary Exclusion Program (VEP). A person making a request for removal must do so in writing, on the appropriate form. The Request for Removal form may be completed at the IGC office in Indianapolis, an Indiana casino location or by US mail. A person making a request for removal by US mail must properly complete the form, and submit it to the Indiana Gaming Commission, 101 W. Washington St., East Tower, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204. A copy of valid government issued photo identification must be included for the removal application to be accepted and approved. The person is not removed from the VEP until the IGC accepts this form and notifies the person in writing that he/she is removed from the VEP.
Many moons ago there weren’t many resources or programs that you could use to ban yourself from doing something. Especially where addiction is concerned. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities have been around since 1750 – which is actually not that long when you consider that the earliest forms of gambling date back to 3000 BC.
Gambling disorders can be equally as difficult to combat asan addition to alcohol or drugs. And all of these addictions bring with themthe same consequences:
- Loss of family, friends andrelationships
- Loss of job or career
- Uncontrollable spending thatcan lead to bankruptcy
- Mental and physical healthissues
- Run-ins with the law
- Living a life of denial
- Suicide
Ban Yourself From Gambling Winnings
Over 80% of American adults gamble on a regular basis, andaround 3-5 out of every 100 gamblers are estimated to be dealing with agambling problem. Of these people, 750,000 are between the ages of 14 to 21,according to gambling statistics.
As concerning as these statistics are, this just adds to thereason why it’s so important to recognize the signs of an addiction, regardlessof whether it applies to you or someone you love. To be addicted to anything isa painful way to live. You become a slave to that source, and it can be verytough crawling your way out of that deep, dark hole if you’re not receiving theright help.
In this article, we’re going to talk about a serviceavailable to pathological gamblers which has only come about in the last fewyears. And it’s a decision that no one else can make apart from you. –we’retalking about self-exclusion.
HowSelf-Exclusion Works in Online Gambling
Self-banning can’t be done by anyone else, as it would defeatthe whole point and wouldn’t teach you anything about self-control. But at whatstage would a person even realize they have an addiction in the first place?It’s not an answer that stares most people in the face, even though they’veusually encountered the above consequences that we mentioned already.
The sad truth is that not every gambler in the world hasaccess to these kind of services. For example, in some Asian countries,gambling is encouraged over seeking treatment for it. There might be a hotlinethat people can contact when the going gets tough – but ultimately, the problemis not being considered or handled as a serious matter.
In the U.S., however, there are several resources and optionsto help people overcome gambling disorders. Self-help groups for gambling arethe equivalent of groups like AAA. There are multiple organizations in thecountry that cater to people with unmanageable gambling problems. One of themain ones is Gamblers Anonymous. Their program operates in exactly the same wayas the AAA program, with a 12-step recovery plan to help people overcome theirurges. These kind of support groups are a great way to meet other people in thesame boat. It might feel embarrassing opening up about your addiction to beginwith, but sharing your thoughts and feelings about it can be a huge boost onits own. Just knowing that someone else has been in your shoes and managed torecover is a great source of motivation to get “clean” and change your habits.Many people have found them to be quite comforting during the time they’vebanned themselves from gambling too.
There are other methods online casinos are using to helppeople regulate their own gambling activities as well. Many of them are workingwith online gambling addiction companies that specialize in prevention systems.These are things like software filters which block access to sites which aren’tregulated by U.S. online gambling laws.
Some companies even offer Internet Activity Monitoringsoftware packages, such as the ones which parents use to put parental locks ontheir children’s internet activity. These not only prevent them from accessingsites if they’re underage, but they’re also being offered as an option topeople who want to try and limit their gambling online.
How to BanYourself from an Online Casino
If you want to self-exclude yourself from an online casino,you’ll usually find an option to do so under the “responsible gambling” sectionof their site. Many U.S. gambling operators work with the same preventionagencies which are Gamblers Anonymous and the National Council on ProblemGambling. These are completely free of charge, and all your information is keptstrictly private and confidential.
Ban Yourself From Gambling Sites
However, if these measures aren’t enough, and providing theonline casino has on option to officially self-ban yourself – you can usuallyjust call their support team who will either block you or restrict youraccount. Most of the time you can request how long you want to be banned for aswell, which is very beneficial to players as it can make them feel like they’remore in control of the problem. Plus, each individual is different, so it maybe that one person might only need a few months to recover from their problem,while others might need a year or longer.
How to BanYourself Land-Based Casino
If you’re looking to self-exclude yourself from abrick-and-mortar establishment, including bingo halls, arcade centers andbetting shops – there is usually a process you will have to go through with thecasino first. Typically this would begin with an interview, followed by asigned declaration of your self-exclusion, which would list the differentvenues or area of a particular venue that you want to be banned from.
By signing this document/deed, you are giving the staff yourpermission to prevent you from entering a section of the gaming area, or theentire venue completely. You will not be charged for self-excluding yourselffrom the casino, and everything you have signed will, again, be kept strictlyconfidential.
Depending on which state you’re in, you may find that thecasino you want to self-exclude yourself from has different regulations, timeframes for how long you can be banned for, or alternative methods/forms to fillout altogether. So it’s probably worth contacting the casino directly andasking for the details on the self-ban program they offer.
WhatHappens If I Break the Ban?
Good question! Though it’s great that casinos both online andoffline have these options available to players, it is not a fail-safe way ofstopping someone from gambling completely. According to OLG statistics, between1,500-2,000 gamblers who have self-banned themselves from gambling,approximately 11% have been caught trying to break their ban every year.
This is because it’s actually quite easy for them to slipunder the radar and set up other accounts anonymously to continue gambling.It’s not like the casino can take players to jail because they’ve broken theirown promise; there has to be a degree of trust from both sides essentially.
Conclusion
Overcoming any kind of addiction is no easy task. The firststeps is to recognize you or someone you know has a problem, then follow thisup by seeking help. It’s not an easy thing for anyone to do, and really is alast resort for many. But stats indicate this kind of treatment has worked fora high number of players who can’t control their gambling habits across thestates. And it appears to be a much healthier way of combating an addictionwithout taking medication or suppressive drugs.