West Virginia Casino Self Exclusion

Wheeling Island Gaming, Inc will treat this self-exclusion request confidentially. Such information shall not be disclosed except to Wheeling Island Gaming, Inc and the West Virginia Lottery Commission for inclusion on their lists. Nov 24, 2020 An interstate solution on the eve of online casino expansion. From 2013 to 2018, state-by-state self-exclusion wasn’t a big deal. At that time, the only states with legal online casinos were New Jersey and Delaware. Once a player had self-excluded in both those states, there was nowhere else to go to play online legally.

The majority of West Virginia gamblers are recreational players. They play occasionally and play mostly for the social aspect or just to have some fun.

Even so, there is still a small portion of the population, between 1% and 2% of all gamblers that have difficulty controlling how much they play or how much they wager.

West Virginia, and every state that has legal casinos, sports betting, or lotteries, takes gaming seriously and has ways to help those who may have a gambling problem.

The systems, regulations, and assistance offered by those states and casinos are called “responsible gambling”.

Responsible gambling is available to help anyone who has problems with gambling.

In West Virginia, the West Virginia Lottery not only oversees the lottery, but it also oversees racetrack and casino-style gaming, as well.

West Virginia responsible gambling resources

West Virginia addresses responsible gambling through the laws the legalized the activity.

The legal requirements for responsible gaming in WV include:

• Conspicuously posted signage at each casino
• Self-exclusion regulations
• Restriction of minors

Additionally, the Compulsive Gambling Treatment Fund has been established. It is controlled and administered by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR).

Gaming operations within WV fund the account with contributions between $150,000 and $500,000 annually. The monies are used to support problem gambling initiatives.

Responsible gambling signage requirements

The West Virginia code requires each video lottery retailer to “conspicuously post in the restricted access adult-only facility the telephone numbers of state-approved providers of problem gambling information, treatment, and referral support services.”

Such signage must also include the following warning:

“CAUTION Gambling and playing this machine can be hazardous to your health, your finances, and your future.”

How to register for self-exclusion in West Virginia

A person that has concerns about their gambling habits can request a voluntary ban from West Virginia casinos, including WV sportsbooks.

To initiate a self-exclusion ban, a player can send a written request to the director of the West Virginia Lottery to be added to the exclusion list.

The West Virginia gambling exclusion list restricts individuals from the state’s casinos and all gambling venues, including online sportsbooks and casinos.

In order to be removed from the self-exclusion list, the excluded person must petition the director of the Lottery Commission in writing.

Once an individual places him or herself on the list, the director will decide whether the exclusion should be permanent.

Requirements to restriction minors from gambling activities

West Virginia Code requires that everyone who enters an area where gambling takes place is 21 years of age or older.

The West Virginia Gaming and Racing Association

Some West Virginia casinos take additional steps beyond the legal requirements to ensure responsible gaming by becoming a member of the West Virginia Gaming and Racing Association (WVGRA).

According to the WVGRA’s website, “Promoting Responsible Gaming is a Core Value of Our Members’ Gaming and Racing Facilities.”

The WVGRA addresses these responsible gaming guidelines:

• Underage gaming
• Problems controlling gambling
• Improper alcohol usage and gambling
• Preventing unattended minors
• Educating on problem gambling habits
• Promoting problem gambling services
• Establishing standards for gaming advertising and marketing

Four of the five casinos in West Virginia are members of WVGRA:

• Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
• Mardi Gras Casino and Resort
• Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort
• Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack

The only West Virginia casino not on the list is the privately-owned casino, The Casino Club at the Greenbrier.

WVGA members promote responsible gaming through:

• Employee training programs
• Outreach to players
• Player self-exclusion
• Financial restriction programs
• Providing written guidelines for problem gambling
• Using outside experts to help spread the message
• Monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of each program

How to know if you have a gambling problem

The WVGA also provides a guide to help individuals determine if they may have a gambling problem.

Start by responding with yes or no to the following statements:

• You have often gambled longer than you had planned.
• You have often gambled until your last dollar was gone.
• Thoughts of gambling have caused you to lose sleep.
• You have used your income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid.
• You have made repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling.
• You have broken the law or considered breaking the law to finance your gambling.
• You have borrowed money to finance your gambling.
• You have felt depressed or suicidal because of your gambling losses.
• You have been remorseful after gambling.
• You have gambled to get money to meet your financial obligations.

If you answer yes to any of the above questions, consider seeking professional help or advice. Please call the Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia at 1-800-426-2537.

WVGA focuses on the well being of children

The WVGA has a focus on children with a commitment “to ensure that our patrons do not leave minors unattended either inside or outside of the facility.”

West Virginia Casino Self Exclusion 2019

Part of this program includes posting signage reminding parents and guardians not to leave children unsupervised.

Additionally, WVGA member casino employees receive training to scan for and identify any unattended children. It is every casino employee’s responsibility to report possible unattended children to security while monitoring the child until security arrives.

Paying attention to underage gaming and drinking

The WVGA requires members to ensure that anyone engaging in gaming is 21 years or older. Additionally, anyone purchasing or consuming alcohol must also be 21 years or older.

WV casinos provide employee training to identify individuals under the age of 21 years old who might be trying to enter the casino or purchase or consume alcohol.

WVGA member employees are authorized to question any person gambling or purchasing or drinking alcohol and require proof of age. Employees are also authorized to confiscate any false or altered IDs.

Part of the responsibility once underage drinking or gambling is identified is to inform law enforcement and gaming agents.

Responsible online gambling

DraftKings Sportsbook is ready to begin online sports betting in West Virginia. Additionally, FanDuel Sportsbook and William Hill Sportsbook have been approved to offer mobile betting apps in the state.

As with any professional gaming enterprise, they also have a responsible gaming policy.

In addition to self-exclusion, most online betting apps will also offer a financial limit option to limit the amount a player can bet.

For instance, DraftKings tells its players,

“If at any point, you think you’re spending too much time or money on DraftKings, you have the option of taking a break from DraftKings entirely. Self-limiting allows you to still play, however, within the parameters that you set for yourself.”

The self-limit option allows players to limit the amount of money they deposit on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

There is also a way for family members to seek help and even limit a family member’s deposits if they believe someone in their family has a gambling problem.

Online betting apps also recommend installing parental control software to limit a minor’s access from using the website or betting app.

Get help for problem gambling: National Center for Responsible Gaming

The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) funds research for gaming issues and how to best treat gambling problems.

West Virginia Casino Self Exclusion Certificate

The research focuses on:

• Preventing gambling problems from starting
• Diagnosing gambling problems
• Intervention and treatment strategies for gambling problems.

The NCRG is also dedicated to public education and outreach about responsible gaming.

The NCRG website provides support and referral sources for anyone affected by a gaming-related issue.

Problem Gambling Resources in West Virginia

West Virginia Casino Self Exclusion Form

Finally, if you or someone you know needs help

If you, or someone you know, needs help, please call the Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia Helpline at 1-800-426-2537.

You can also call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

An essential element of responsible online gambling is the ability for players to self-exclude themselves from online casinos. Self-exclusion allows players to give themselves a mandatory break from gambling and is a vital tool for preventing some people from becoming problem gamblers.

Recently, GeoComply launched a system that allows gamblers in the United States to self-exclude from all legal online gambling sites in the United States, regardless of where they are located. This system will help remove the temptation of players going to another state to gamble online.

GeoComply Launches PlayPause Tool

Legal online gambling has become even safer, thanks to the launch of GeoCoply’s latest tool. PlayPause will give players the ability to self-exclude in multiple legal states and from multiple operators. Before the launch of PlayPause, an online casino gambler in New Jersey could self-exclude and then go to Pennsylvania and begin playing again.

With PlayPause, a player can self-exclude, and that information will propagate to all legal states in the GeoComply network. Presently, there are legal online casinos in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Legal online poker is available in Nevada, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

Players can also self-exclude from sportsbooks in the United States. This will prove invaluable as numerous states now have sports betting or will launch sports betting in the upcoming year.

The tool is not just for self-exclusion. Operators can also use data from the program to help identify problem gamblers, allowing the operators to step in before they develop a serious gambling addiction.

PlayPause Receiving Praise

When the National Council on Problem Gambling is praising an initiative, you know it is good. Keith Whyte, the NCPG’s Executive Director, spoke positively about PlayPause. He stated, “Creating a multi-state self-exclusion tool has long been a goal of all stakeholders that are committed to responsible gaming.

West Virginia Casino Poker

The NCPG applauds the creation of PlayPause – this is a prime example of how technology and innovation can be leveraged to advance consumer protection and foster a more effective responsible gaming framework across the gambling and sports betting industries.”

The release of this tool could not have come at a better time, especially considering the rise in online gambling thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. States like New Jersey are experiencing record revenues with New Jersey posting record months for both sports betting and online casinos gambling.

Other states, such as Michigan, are looking to accelerate the launch of online gambling or online sports betting. It is expected that Michigan will launch sports betting and online gambling in late 2020 or early 2021. Virginia recently approved sports betting regulations. West Virginia is looking to launch online casino gambling soon.

Nationwide Self-Exclusion a Necessary Step to Protecting Gamblers

When the legal US online gambling market was just a couple of states, the need for a nationwide self-exclusion network was negligible. With the number of states now beginning to approach double digits for online casino gambling, the time to enact such as system is now.

By the end of 2021, we should see West Virginia, Michigan, Virginia, and select other states all online with one form of gambling or another. The pandemic will also likely open the doors for the legalization of online casino gambling in 2021 in other states.

Just look at Australia. Despite the country enacting an online casino ban, the nation still saw a 67% jump in online gambling traffic during the pandemic. Legal US states are enjoying record numbers, and with a second wave of COVID-19 predicted for the Winter, the appetite for online gambling will grow.

With more players, there will be more chances for problem gambling. PlayPause is a necessary tool to give players a way to help protect themselves when they feel they cannot reasonably avoid gambling online.