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Casinos should help ban problem gamblers (not just problem winners)

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By Quad-City Times | Tuesday, December 04, 2007 |

When it comes to problem gamblers, casinos get the best deal. Laws in Iowa and Illinois allow those who identify their own gambling addiction to ban themselves from casinos. But it’s not a ban on gambling. It’s only a ban on winning.

Casinos say they can’t identify every self-banned gambler who enters. Presumably, many do enter, gamble, lose and go home, continuing that cycle of addiction.

But if they win big, that’s when the casinos take action. Casinos require identification from all big winners. If a winner is found to be on the self-banned gambler list, he or she is tossed out without collecting winnings.

Now, the Illinois Gaming Board is considering a new rule requiring casinos to look for self-banned gamblers before they hit a jackpot. The board suggests casinos look at the IDs of all patrons before they enter.

It seems to be a helpful idea, but with some scary, Big Brotherish consequences.

The screening should focus on detecting problem gamblers. Under no circumstances should casinos be allowed to collect information from these ID checks. Casinos already collect mountains of data from players who willingly fill out customer cards. That should be enough.

Some casino operators are concerned the ID checks will slow entry to the boat. We’ve seen concert arenas and sports stadiums that are able to pat down patrons as a security caution. We believe casinos can find a process that doesn’t impede their customers’ race to the slot machines.

Casinos are a valued, regulated business in our community for a reason. Most of their money is generated from recreational, responsible gamblers. But some of the money comes from people with an addiction that has ramifications far beyond the boats. Part of the cost of doing this business in our community requires heightened vigilance for these people all the time, not just when they win big.

Banned gamblers

IOWA: Iowa’s Racing and Gaming Commission reported 1,637 people on the self-banning list since 2004. The commission’s 2006 annual report shows $300,000 forfeited by self-banned gamblers who were caught after winning in an Iowa casino.

ILLINOIS: lllinois Casino and Gaming Association, representing casino operators, reports 5,200 self-banned gamblers on the Illinois list.