Gamblers from California will be able to voluntarily self-exclude themselves from the state’s nearly 60 cardrooms for free as soon as next month. The initiative, the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (NVSEP), which is intended to resolve multiple setbacks faced by problem gamblers within the Golden State, was launched by idPair.
Besides California, idPair funds programs in several other states, including Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, and Tennessee. Such opt-in services enable problem gamblers to stop gambling for a preset period or for good.
The responsible gambling organization collaborates closely with the California Council of Problem Gambling (CALPG). The NVSEP ultimately aims to remove the necessity of in-person self-exclusion registration and cover the costs associated with the mailing in a form.
As the CALPG noted on its official website, problem gamblers in California might find it difficult to figure out how to ban themselves voluntarily, as the process is rather complicated. There are two basic ways to self-exclude – through the statewide self-exclusion program for card rooms or through the individual programs of tribal casinos.
The first one requires in-person signing up or mailing in a single form, which excludes gamblers from all cardrooms within the state. The costs associated with this option can be a substantial obstacle for some, considering the financial hardships that problem gambling may entail. The second one is even more complicated as each tribal casino has its own regulatory body and self-exclusion program.
As noted in the press release regarding the program’s launch in California “remotely excluding – i.e., mailing in a form – can be a great alternative; however, it requires that the enrollment form be notarized to verify the identity of the person submitting the form.”
As CCPG Executive Director Robert Jacobson explained, “For someone suffering from an addiction – especially one which causes severe financial hardships – each added barrier or cost makes it that much more difficult for them to take that first step on the road to recovery.”
Self-Exclusion Programs Can Pose Certain Difficulties to Problem Gamblers
Qualitative Experience of Self-Exclusion Programs: A Scoping Reviewis a study conducted in 2023 and published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. According to its findings, people suffering from gambling disorder find it challenging to apply multiple times and visit multiple self-exclusion venues. Furthermore, other major setbacks were the time and money needed to opt for a self-exclusion program. Last but not least, the stigma associated with problem gamblers could further put salt on the wound.
Problem gambling support is becoming an essential aspect of lawful sports betting markets. Six months after legalizing sports betting, Vermont also launched a problem gambling support website. Equipped with live chat functionality and a phone line, VTGamblingHelp.org provides information about identifying the signs of problem gambling and the available treatment resources.
