Can Online Self-Banning Really Work

As you are aware, New Jersey will commence legal online gambling by November 26, 2013. But were you aware that the New Jersey State Gaming Enforcement Division also has a self-ban list for people who are compulsive gamblers and/or who do not want to be tempted? By putting their name on this list, they are now allowed to visit any of the twelve Atlantic City Casinos. Thus, with the impending online gambling to commence in New Jersey in the next few weeks, the Gaming Division has decided to include online gambling. What this means is that individuals who have decided to add their names to the Atlantic City Casino list can also add their names to the online gambling list. They do, however, have a choice to self-ban either land-based, online gambling, or both for a term of one to five years.

Can Online Self-Banning Really Work?

As this writer sees it, preventing oneself who is a compulsive gambler from entering a land-based casino is a good thing. However, thinking back to the 2012 election, I seem to recall the Republican nominee stating that "self-deportation" would solve the immigration problem. That didn't work nor did it go over well with the public as a viable concept. While I appreciate the fact that it is easier to restrict an individual from entering a land-based casino, I find it difficult to see how the same individual can be dissuaded from gambling online. According to the terms of this self-banning, if they win online their "winnings are subject to forfeiture." Frankly, I don't see how this can be enforced especially since the internet is not regulated. More to the point, merely putting oneself on a list does not exclude one from finding a way to gamble online especially given the method of deposits available. I suspect that once online gambling commences in New Jersey, it is only then we will see how many individuals who took the self-ban oath will actually remain true to it.