Louisiana Issues Draft Responsible Gaming Regulations
Recent steps have been taken in Louisiana to develop more uniform statewide responsible gaming guidelines.
A modification of the state's self-exclusion program allows people to ban themselves from gaming activities at Louisiana riverboat, land-based and racetrack casinos for a minimum of five years. Under the old regulations, the process of applying for self-exclusion was different for each form of gaming in the state.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board, which oversees the program, can impose strict penalties for those violating the rules of the self-exclusion law. Gamblers who violate their self-exclusion forfeit their winnings, and casinos that fail to exclude people on the list can lose their gaming license.
In addition to self-exclusion, the responsible gaming regulations require casinos in Louisiana to develop a comprehensive program that addresses compulsive gambling and related problems. Also, any consumer advertisement of gaming activities or of a gaming establishment must include a toll-free hot line number.
The new law was passed Aug. 15, 2001, but will not go into effect until later this year.
The full text of Louisiana's responsible gaming regulations can be found in the AGA publication Statutes and Regulations in Commercial Casino States Concerning Responsible Gaming, which can be accessed and/or purchased on the AGA Web site.
