PA Gaming Control Board Publishes Involuntary Exclusion List

  • List names a total of 809 individuals, 648 men and 161 women
  • 213 of those named on the list have been found guilty of theft
  • Excluded players can apply to be removed from the list after five years
aerial view of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has published a list of 809 players that have been excluded from gaming venues in the state. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

List now public

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has made an involuntary exclusion list public. The list, which names 809 individuals, has been published to prevent these players from accessing a state gaming venue.

As a result of committing casino-related offenses, these players have been excluded from playing poker and other games at commercial casinos in Pennsylvania.

with theft being one of the main main reasons why players have been added to the list

Details of their offenses accompany this list, with theft being one of the main main reasons why players have been added to the list. The PGCB has also provided a photograph of each player in a bid to prevent these individuals from trying to access another gaming facility in the state. 

Offenses committed in last decade

In total, 648 men and 161 women have been named on the list. The PGCB has confirmed that the list dates back more than ten years. Each person named on the list has also had their photograph published to help casino staff identify them.

The PGCB has labeled those on the list as career or professional offenders, cheats, and other individuals who would pose a risk inside of a casino.

Notice is given in advance of anyone being added to the list. This gives players the opportunity to appeal the decision. After a person has been on the list for a five years, they can submit a removal application.

213 of those named on the list were found guilty of theft. A total of 205 people were found to be cheating at a given gaming facility. There were 93 individuals found guilty of endangering children, while 85 of the people on the list were underage when they entered a gaming venue.

A few people on the list were charged with disorderly conduct, using counterfeit currency, controlled substance charges, and aiding underage patrons. The others were charged with harassment, trespassing, or assault.

Recent additions to the list 

Two people recently added to the list were found to be texting one another while playing poker at the Rivers Casino in Philadelphia. They were telling each other what cards they were holding. 

Another person who was recently put on the list was found to be switching cards during a game of High Card Flush. 

Reduction in numbers

The involuntary exclusion list has been shrinking in Pennsylvania in recent years. The main reason for this is due to a change in the policy of dealing with patrons aged 21 and under.

they then had difficulty finding employment or entering into the military

Previously, underage patrons would be added to the list. However, this is no longer the case. This is because the PGCB discovered that when a younger person is added to this list, they then had difficulty finding employment or entering into the military. 

Therefore, it was deemed that this was unfair and had too much of a negative effect on these young people’s lives.

Naturally, Pennsylvania also has a voluntary self-exclusion list in place for problem gamblers.

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