Rep. Russ Diamond of Lebanon has expressed approval for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s decision to retract its plan for automatic removal from the self-exclusion list used by casinos to prevent problem gambling. Diamond, who serves as the Republican chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee, raised concerns that automatic removal could lead to issues such as removing individuals without their consent or assurance that they wish to be removed.
“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,” stated Diamond. He hopes that the gaming control board will revisit this rulemaking process to ensure consistency across all forms of gambling while safeguarding problem gamblers.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board had initially proposed Regulation #125-250, which aimed at providing automatic removal from the self-exclusion list at casinos. This list was established through initiatives targeting compulsive and problem gambling over two decades ago. Self-exclusion allows individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from legalized gaming activities in Pennsylvania for one year, five years, or a lifetime. Currently, individuals must request removal from the list after their selected period ends.
Diamond emphasized, “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 gaming control board has indicated it may consider pursuing automatic removal again in the future. Recently, it informed the Independent Regulatory Review Commission about withdrawing proposed regulation #125-250.
