Pennsylvania launches self-exclusion scheme for online gambling
Scheme unveiled ahead of egaming planned rollout in July
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has launched its first self-exclusion programme for online gambling, ahead of the launch of online gambling services in the state later this year.
Mirroring the current self-exclusion programme for the state’s land-based casinos, the online version allows players to voluntarily self-exclude for one year, five years or for life.
Individuals wanting to self-exclude can either sign-up online via the PGCB website or make an appointment to attend one of the PGCB’s regional offices. Players wanting to extend their period of self-exclusion must contact the PGCB to do so, with the regulator citing a 15-day waiting period before the extension kicks in.
Under current provisions, all PGCB registered online gambling operators must refuse site access, all associated services and bets from any person on the list, ensuring that individuals who have self-excluded do not receive any further marketing materials.
In addition to the scheme, the PGCB has launched deposit, spend and wager limits, allowing players to impose restrictions on their online gambling on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
Daily time-based limits and temporary suspensions allowing players to further limit their online gambling have also been launched.
In April, PGCB executive director Kevin O’Toole confirmed the state would commence online gambling operations on 15 July, with O’Toole citing compliance with the recent Department of Justice reinterpretation of the Wire Act as being the reason for the delayed launch.
Online sports betting has suffered from a delayed rollout, in part because of problems getting apps into the Apple App Store.
Elsewhere, statewide sports betting revenues dropped by 24% during April, in line with seasonality, with revenues falling to $4.2m.