Responsible Gaming

Missouri Gaming Commission Augments Problem Gambling Services

The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) is the regulatory agency that licenses and oversees the operation of Missouri's twelve casinos. As mentioned above, MGC administers a voluntary exclusion program for problem gamblers. This program, created in 1996, provides problem gamblers with a method to acknowledge that they have a gambling problem and take personal responsibility for it by agreeing to stop visiting Missouri casinos. The exclusion is for life.

In order to assist the problem gambler with their self-imposed ban, MGC requires casino operators to cease all direct-marketing efforts to people in the voluntary exclusion program. Casinos are required to block all direct mailings and other promotional enticements to people in the program. This policy ensures that people in the program do not receive invitations for free nights in the casino's hotel, free dinners, match play coupons, or other inducements to visit the casino. In addition, MGC requires that casinos refuse to allow people in the program to cash checks or participate in player's club programs.

If a problem gambler who has requested to be excluded chooses to violate his/her agreement and visits a Missouri casino, s/he is arrested for trespassing upon discovery. As a method of enforcing these policies, MGC requires casinos to refer to the list of people in the program before cashing checks or paying out large jackpots.

MGC uses the trespassing arrest as a way to call attention to the problem gambler's destructive behavior in the hope that it will encourage them to enter a treatment program. After receiving notice of the arrest of a voluntarily excluded individual, MGC sends a letter reminding them of their commitment to refrain from visiting Missouri casinos as well as the availability of free treatment. MGC also provides them with both a listing of certified compulsive gambling counselors in their community and a Gamblers Anonymous meetings schedule in their community, as well as other resources available in Missouri, and/or their area.