Abstaining gamblers face fines for entering casinos

**chayton** · 17th October 2009, 04:09 AM

Sorry if I posted in the wrong place, this was in our local paper - I found it interesting.
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Canwest News Service October 15, 2009

Problem gamblers who visit a casino after signing up for Alberta's voluntary self-exclusion program soon will face a fine if they break their own ban.

Starting Nov. 1, the Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission will penalize program participants$250 if they are caught gambling at a casino or racing entertainment centre.

"It's to help deter individuals from violating their agreements," said commission spokeswoman Lynn Hutchings-Mah.

The fine was one of 22 recommendations made in a 2007 evaluation of the province's voluntary self-exclusion program, which allows people to take a break from gambling by self-imposing a ban on themselves from casinos and racing centres.

About 1,600 Albertans have enrolled in the program.

By signing up, participants agree to have their names and photos distributed to gaming facilities across the province.

But the evaluation of the program found numerous cracks in the system.

It suggested additional measures such as facial recognition, card-based technology, random ID checks and fines.

The evaluation was based on a survey with program participants, casino management and security staff, gambling researchers and gambling treatment professionals. Some had suggested the program had no teeth without the additional measures.

The commission has started implementing most of the recommendations, although it is still considering the best way to detect clients who violate the ban.

Hutchings-Mah said posters and brochures about the program will be placed in gaming facilities.

**jetset** · 17th October 2009, 08:17 AM

IMO not a bad idea - it adds another layer of discouragement.

**chayton** · 17th October 2009, 07:57 PM

Just wait, within a month or so I'm expecting that there will be people trying to sue the gaming commission over this - either they'll say "I didn't MEAN to exclude myself" or "Random ID checks violate my privacy" Anyone want to bet on it?

BTW could someone move this to the "NA Land based casinos" section - I knew it was in the wrong place when I posted but I wasn't thinking clearly enough to know where else to put it.

**love2winalot** · 17th October 2009, 08:34 PM

Hiya. I think they will get sued for another reason. Abstained player goes in, loses money, and cries FOUL. "Hey you jerks, I was abstained, and you let me in anyway, and i lost, give back my money".

The normal Casino has how many enterances? and How many people going in an out of each one? and the Casino is suppose to stop every person that enters to see if they are on the list?