Banning oneself from casinos / Casino precautions against compulsive gambling

orangeindiana

Dormant account
Joined
Mar 31, 2005
Location
Texas
Okay, let me build up to this...

I've got a question that I'd like some input on... I work in a church (about to head to seminary, actually, for ordained ministry), and gambling has been an interesting topic to me because of the heated discussion it can inspire among Christians and other faith groups. While I don't intend to elaborate on my own personal conclusions at the time, obviously, if I'm here and playing some, I think there's an "okay" way to gamble.

At any rate, something that concerns me is how online gambling can fuel those who are predisposed to develop gambling addictions in a way that brick and mortar casinos can't, due to factors like increased availability and the less "real" feeling that using money online can create.

This leads to my first question. Having joined some 20 casinos by now, I've noticed that some claim to have precautions that can help detect compuslive gambling trends. Are any of you aware of how this works? The only casinos I remember offhand that mention this are Starluck/Planetluck, but I know there's others (I think I remember seeing it on some MG sites as well). I'm curious as to how they work and what protection they provide, since I suspect it's not much, partially because the casinos need to protect their assets from fraud.

Okay, second question. Suppose someone feels that they have an addiction and they decide they need to permanently cut themselves off from online casinos. Simply asking casinos to delete your account is often ineffective, I've found, both through reading threads and reviews of other casinos, and trying it myself at a few places that I don't continue to gamble at just to see how they would respond (Casino Craze, for example, promised to erase my account when I wrote them claiming that I was worried about developing an addiction -- I'm not, but it was for investigative sake. A month later, my account still works just fine there). But what if you did something to make the casinos want to reject you? I suppose an easy way would be to make a credit card payment and then cancel it through the card company -- somebody here knows the proper term for that, I'm sure. But it seems like that may carry some undesirable side effects with it, perhaps a bad note on a credit report or something similar. But what if you wrote a casino or client and asked to be identified as a bonus abuser? As I understand it, lists of abusers are circulated openly, and once you're on it, that's pretty much the end of things. Is that the case? And would there be some other considerations to worry about -- negative results from that which would reach beyond the world of online casinos?

I'd like to hear anything anyone here has to say about this; with the growth of the internet, I have a feeling that my place in the ministry may bring this issue up at some point, and it'd be nice to know both some opinions and possible options for those who may not be able to game safely. And in any case, it's interesting.
 
Good post!

There are a number of ways to approach this. First off, request that the casino close your account - most MGs will with no problem. Ed Ware of 32red and I discussed this during an interview in January 2004 at the ICE:
https://www.casinomeister.com/podcasts/
4 February 2004
But even though a casino may close someone's account, a compulsive addictive gambler may find a way to get back in. This is another reason for the ID checks and what not.

The guerrilla approach sounds like a last resort step - but may work. Making a chargeback will get you banned from a group of casinos, but if you are living in the states this might not be possible since most casinos cannot accept American based credit cards. I don't think it would harm your credit rating since you could claim your card was stolen and used without your authorization - but that's another can of worms.

Telling casinos that you are a bonus abuser won't help because no one is obligated to play bonuses. Your account would still remain open.

If you deposit by Neteller, deselect the Instacash option and contact Neteller telling them you want your account closed.

There have been a few members here that have asked me to ban their accounts - no problem. But there is nothing stopping me from letting them back in, different email address, etc. I can only do so much - the same with the casinos. Much of this lies on the shoulder of the player unfortunately. Unplug the computer and go for a walk I say.
 
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I suspect that you will get more accurate and detailed answers from specialised organisations in this field like G4, Gamcare or Gambler's Anonymous, and in any case these would be a useful alternative perspective from people who are in the industry.

Underage gambling is of similar concern, although that has more available precautions in a technological sense, and these are growing in efficiency.

Most of the responsible online casino managers with whom I have discussed this have been genuinely concerned that addictive gamblers be identified and excluded as soon as possible, and I know at least one large group that has an ex-addictive gambler turned counsellor on their staff. There are apparently also certain patterns and profiles that are strong indicators, and some casinos have management staff trained in interpreting these.

One regulator plans a major training seminar on the subject in the near future and has teamed with one of the main responsible gambling organisations to provide tighter requirements and precautionary applications.

I would say that among the serious operators there is much more awareness now of the importance of this aspect, and that far more than simply sticking a GA logo on your site is necessary.
 
Just a post script to the above - it will be interesting to see what measures the new UK online gaming regulations will demand - I'm sure this subject will be considered when the Gaming Commission gets to work.

I'm not sure what other serious jurisdictions have on their books - folks like Alderney, Isle of Man maybe Gibraltar?
 
What an excellent post on an important subject. Speaking from personal experience, I am not an out of control gambling addict, but I have been known to make that one or two extra deposit that maybe I shouldn't. Doesn't mean that my bills don't get paid, but it does mean that maybe I go over my limit sometimes.

I have a couple of things I do to keep MYSELF in check...

First, I do not use any deposit methods that require me to register my bank account, or have the option of depositing through your bank account. In my opinion, this is pure temptation for anyone with even half a problem. JMO.

Second, if I don't have the money (I mean physically), I don't play. No credit. I use Payspark, and I use Western Union to fund my account. It takes 24 hours, but it is worth it. I also have a couple of Playtech and MG casinos that take Western Union, and use that on occasion.

Third, I do not borrow money to gamble. If I don't have it, I ain't playin.

Not much I know, but it does seem to help keep me in check, especially on those nights when I've been sipping at the Southern Comfort.. :p
 
I believe that MG software also alows the casino to put a max on the amount you can deposit in a given time period. So you could always ask the casinos to limit this to $50 a day or something which means you could still enjoy it but impose a limit.

Another sensible option to self-regulate your gambling might be to open up a second bank account with no card, no online banking option etc, and regularly deposit from your everyday account when you get funds in. This effectively makes the new account inaccessible, except by walking in and drawing cash. Then use it for bills etc using Direct Debits and cheques. You'll have a residue left for gambling from your normal account and a limit on what you spend.

Just a couple of ideas.

Cheers

Simmo!
 
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That's a great idea Simmo..... and yeah there are a few casinos that will allow you to put yourself on a limited deposit structure. I know that Lasseter's used to, do they still do that? All casinos should offer that option, but of course I'm sure that would seriously cut into their revenue.
 
Pinababy69 said:
That's a great idea Simmo......

Yes its one i've always used since way back, and it works well. I usually take about 80% of everything i get in through my normal account and throw it the way of my "inaccessible" account. Whats left i use for a variety of "throwaway" things, gambling and non-gambling related :)
 
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Good post, I'm sure I read somewhere that if you phone up your credit card company you can block all casino/betting related purchases from even happening, therefore cutting it of from the source. Not sure if this is true or even possible as I haven't tried it myself.
 
deanimus said:
Good post, I'm sure I read somewhere that if you phone up your credit card company you can block all casino/betting related purchases from even happening, therefore cutting it of from the source. Not sure if this is true or even possible as I haven't tried it myself.


Won't be hard for credit cards nowdays, as visa has cut off gaming altogther. I believe (probably) about 90% off mastercard customers have the same problem.

As far as neteller, firepay, etc; I'm sure they'll close your account....but if they will "blacklist" you even with a new checking account, no idea.
 
Great idea Simmo. I might use that myself, just because... well, cause it's a good idea.

What about the claims that some software can help detect compuslive gambling patterns? Anybody know how that's supposed to work?
 
I know this is a late post to this topic, but some sites track your IP address. I did get myself into trouble once and TRUST ME that they know my IP address.

Logically, I'd think that most can do this and would be able to block your computer from gaming at any of their sites... period.

Just an idea.
 
Hi All,

I am not going to go into the details, but there are ways to identify compulsive gamblers from their play records, and most operators do take this very seriously.

eCOGRA have recently increased the eGAP requirement regarding compulsive gambling, and operators will have to have facilities to allow players to choose a 7 day cooling off period if they are concerned about their play, or to have their accounts closed indefinitely if they so choose. Operators who fail to comply will loose their eCOGRA seals. Those who choose to comply will roll these changes out in the next month or two if they have not already done so.

Best regards,

Belle Rock
 
Casinomeister said:
...Much of this lies on the shoulder of the player unfortunately.

Very important indeed.

I have been in an addicting gambling stage myself,not badly but to an extent that I was concerned and I contacted CM who he directed me to gamecare.My input to banning yourself from the casino is that its futile and doesn't have as much point as we would like.One who's emotionally addicted with gambling will find ways to gamble even if gets himself banned from all online casinos.What about landbased casinos? horses? grayhounds? slots at various bookmakers shops? poker?
In my knowledge and experience the solution won't be given from anyone or anything outside you even though you may 'cover up' the problem for a while by getting banned etc.Our problems as well as our solutions arise from within.Why we look for the solutions outside?:what: Have yet to answer that fully to myself.....
Just my 2 cents:cool:
 

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