Compromised System: Ontario Compulsive Gamblers Still Make it into Casino Venues Despite Self-Exclusion Program

Self-exclusion programs have faced a mixed reception across the provinces, as people have often questioned their efficiency. Recently common suspicions of their questionable positive impact were proven right thanks to the discovery of gambling addicts still making it to the slot machines at land-based casino venues across Ontario.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is the field leader and as such, its core objective is to provide the needed protection to each and every one of its players in need. When an individual participating in gaming activities often enough notices there is a pattern to their behavior, actions could be taken. Self-exclusion programs were invented for this very purpose.

Breach in the System

However, as it recently turned out, players were still able to enter brick-and-mortar casino venues across the province, as they have not been denied access to them. These revelations were unearthed during a probe conducted by The Fifth Estate television program. Casino venues overseen by Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation are supposed to deny access to all individuals listed in the system.

Joe Frieri is one of the participants in the program, who made the conscious decision to limit the time he spends at a casino venue and leave gaming activities behind him. What prompted his decision was the nearly CA$300,000 he managed to burn through prior to 2008. This was when he initially listed for the self-exclusion program, as he found himself unable to control his urges to play.

However, the program turned out failing to achieve this goal. In moments of weakness, Frieri was finding himself at the casino venue entrance, where no questions were asked as to any gambling addiction tendencies of his. This happened on more than 10 occasions over the span of half a year, solidifying the notion that the program is prone to serious breaches. Ironically, the one time the program appeared to be working was when he was offered a loyalty program card for his frequent visits.

Public Opinion on Such Programs

Facial recognition is the method currently utilized by the program, as it is supposed to prevent players from playing despite their self-imposed casino ban. In the past several years people within the province of Ontario have learned more about the program and many of them have expressed their personal opinion regarding its efficiency.

It should be taken into account that there are people prone to addictions and self-destructive behavior such as drinking and smoking, but shops offering such products have never featured such programs. The only way restrictions are imposed in this sector is via promotion bans. However, smokers and alcoholics do not need to see an ad to know they need to get their hands on their poison of choice. Over the span of the past six years of the program’s operation, a number of players have attempted to sue OLG for the program’s failure.

The gaming leader has to closely examine its methods of work and make sure it lives up to the expectations of players. In the meantime, Nova Scotia is a province actively trying to improve its self-exclusion program, via an amendment making it possible for people to list themselves for a limited amount of time only. This could be classified as a tricky move, as players battling their gambling addiction will essentially receive the permission to re-enter a casino venue regardless of whether or not they have fully cured their compulsive gambling tendencies.

They will be left to their own devices when it comes to making the decision to re-enter or not. The public is able to offer an opinion on the changes via the online platform specifically designed to facilitate the process of information collecting. Some 2,000 individuals participate in this program at the moment, which ranks the Nova Scotia province around the bottom of the rank list across Canada.