The Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) has recently announced plans that would require the state to implement a state-wide self-exclusion website list for online gambling within the state. A recent trend seen in several states around the country, self-exclusion directories are a way for states to keep track of online gambling activity and a way for players to self-limit if they think they might have a problem.
In addition to these advantages, this action by the state gaming commission seems to portend changes coming to online gambling in Nevada. Many analysts are predicting big news to online gambling legislation in the state of Nevada. Let’s dive in and see what’s happening.
What is a self-exclusion list?
A voluntary measure for limiting a player’s gambling tendencies, a self-exclusion list allows players to add their names to an online directory, which would prohibit them from accessing online iGaming sites.
While these types of state-administered online directories will be a record for state officials and means of blocking online gaming sites for those who wish to restrain themselves, they do not affect a player’s ability to gamble at a land-based casino.
The importance of self-exclusion
Studies have shown that while there is no evidence that suggests self-exclusion lists reduce the incidence rate of problem gambling among at-risk players, it does offer a way out for those seeking help or simply keeping themselves accountable.
Alan Feldman, a distinguished fellow at UNLV’s International Gaming Institute explained that “The act of signing up for it is a very validating and affirming action because it is now that moment where you’ve said, ‘I need to do something’, and that often is a critical moment in a problem gambler’s journey.”
Taking that first step is sometimes the hardest part and the jumping-off point to getting back on a track to playing responsibly or quitting for good. A self-exclusion list is one of the most efficient tools gamblers have at their disposal if they are trying to curb their gambling habit.
Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) & Regulation 5A
The NGC has recently approved a change to Regulation 5A, a part of Nevada’s gaming regulations, paving the way for the establishment of the self-exclusion list. Plans include the list to be administered by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, working in cooperation with legal operators in the state and updated daily with new additions.
According to new text in Regulation 5A, operators must “take all reasonable steps to immediately refuse service to an individual who has self-excluded from participating in interactive gambling”. Once a player has registered, they can withdraw their winnings but they won’t be able to play and operators cannot send them any marketing material.
Although still in the planning stages, this event marks an important moment in the history of Nevada gambling as it’s the first time the state has attempted to keep a register of self-excluded online players.
Nevada is not the only state to make plans to adopt such a list. Currently, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan already have self-exclusion directories in place, either by online registration or by submitting an application to be added to the list.
Poker is the only game in town
So far, Nevada’s online gambling offerings are sparse. Currently, the state’s only legal online offering is poker. Its recent plans to implement a self-exclusion directory for online gambling, however, seem to mean a widening of Nevada’s online gambling options.
Full-scale implementation of a state-wide database, including the cooperation of all online casino operators in the state, would be an awful lot of work for just one online game. The question then is: does this mean Nevada is planning to branch out and allow the legalization of all online casino games?
Will Nevada soon opt for full-scale online casinos?
Recently, the NGCB announced their plans for organizing a workshop to consider the legalization of full-scale online casinos with interactive slot machines and table games in the state of Nevada. Currently, gamblers are only able to play online poker in the state but that soon might change.
The implementation of a state-wide self-exclusion directory makes little sense in a state that only offers online poker, so many pundits are speculating that this move means bigger changes for Nevada ahead.
The global COVID-19 pandemic seems to be the impetus behind such a move as well. Nevada officials became acutely aware of the state’s reliance on gambling tourism during the chaos, shutdowns, and lack of tourism during the brunt of the outbreak. A situation that legalized online gambling would certainly help to remedy.
The landscape of online gambling in the United States has been in constant flux for the last decade or so. Many believe that the complete legalization of online gambling seems like it’s on the horizon for the USA.
Who knows? Perhaps Nevada will soon join the ranks of states like Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia will fully-legal iGaming operations state-wide.
Read more: Top Gambling Affiliate Programs
