Pennsylvania’s casinos must protect problem gamblers

Casino gambling has been legal in Pennsylvania for close to 20 years, and in that time, the state has increasingly embraced betting in all forms. With this cultural and economic shift comes a parallel need to address the potential of problem gambling.

In 2004, the Pennsylvania legislature passed the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, which legalized slot machines at fourteen locations throughout the state. Casinos have been permitted to operate table games in the state since 2010, and online casino games have been legal since the passage of the Truck Stop and Satellite Casino Bill in 2017.

The Keystone State is home to 14 land-based casinos. These are a mixture of racinos. (combined race tracks and casinos) and traditional wagering venues. The casinos extend from as far west as the Hollywood Casino at The Meadows in North Strabane to as far east as Parx Casino and Racing in Bensalem, less than four miles from the New Jersey border.

A 2021 report published by Penn State University found that Pennsylvania is home to more than one million bettors, representing over 11% of state residents age 18 or older. The report further revealed that over 44% of gamblers answered “yes” to one or more questions about whether they had the potential for problem gambling.

This past April, a study published by WalletHub found that Pennsylvania is the 12th-most gambling-addicted state, as well as the 10th-most gambling-friendly state. Last year, 345 state residents called the multistate hotline to receive help for casino gambling addiction.

The state is already addressing gambling addiction through multiple measures. The 2017 casino expansion law requires new online gambling operators to contribute to the state’s Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s Rules and Regulations stipulates that applicants for slot machine licenses must submit a compulsive and problem gambling plan which details outreach programs, procedures to prevent underage gambling, and printed materials about treatment services. For years, casinos have been required to post the 1-800GAMBLER number on advertisements.

While the state casino laws offer a robust approach to preventing problem gambling, there are gaps in the system that inevitably lead to the compromise of casinos’ programs. Last year, a problem gambler who had excluded herself from casinos entered a casino and spent 81 of the next 85 hours on the property playing midi-baccarat.

The above example notwithstanding, there is a clear trend of gaming operators taking problem gambling more seriously. Last month, major operators including Bally’s, Entain, and MGM Resorts International published 12 principles for responsible gaming, instituting a set of standards that all gaming companies should follow. More can be done, beyond the basic standards being imposed by the state.

The state’s casinos need to embrace a comprehensive approach to responsible gambling. This includes continuing research, massive education, innovative technology tools that provide warnings to players, and effective treatment that provides ongoing therapy and support to problem gamblers. All of these approaches cost money, and they’re necessary steps to protecting the very customers that fund these casinos.

Further, Pennsylvania’s casinos must align their advertising practices to reduce exposure to vulnerable populations. Operators’ interest in revenue generation must be balanced with a consideration of problem gamblers and the effect that extensive advertising can have on their psyches.

Lastly, operators should fund initiatives that educate gamblers on the dangers of problem gambling and the steps one can take to limit their exposure. As the trustee for a responsible gambling non-profit, I know the impact that these initiatives can have, from responsible gambling sessions conducted with student-athletes to research partnerships with medical schools and state universities.

All of these approaches to protecting problem gamblers cost money. They may appear unnecessary. But they’re necessary. not just for problem gamblers but for the casinos themselves. The industry’s existence depends on the well-being of the state’s bettors. I hope the casino operators understand this and work to create a more sustainable gambling industry.