The state does a lot of things to keep people safe.
It creates laws about domestic violence. It paints lines on roads. It makes sure the water is clean, the ground is unpolluted and the air is clear.
In many cases, the state keeps people safe from themselves.
Pennsylvania governs the rules about drinking and driving. It intervenes in cases where seniors might fall victim to their own generosity with a scammer. Whether addiction, mental illness or simple recklessness, state laws and policies attempt to act as a net to prevent a slip from becoming a tragedy.
Gambling is one of those areas.
Self-exclusion is a system whereby a person with a gambling problem can prevent access. If you know you have this addiction, you can fill out forms that will keep you from stepping up to a casino or offsite venue. You can prevent yourself from participating in online gambling. You can remove yourself from being able to use video gaming terminals. You can even stop your access to fantasy sports.
Because this is up to the individual, the time frame is in each person’s hands. Maybe you are worried about your access and just want to put up some guardrails for a while. Pick a one-year block. Maybe you know very well what your limits are and don’t want to test them. A lifetime block could be for you.
For online, terminals or fantasy gaming, when your one-year or five-year mark is up, your access is open again. But for casinos, a request to reactivate has been necessary.
On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced that policy would continue, despite a proposal to make reinstating access automatic.
The majority of public comment on the proposal was in opposition. The board did the right thing in keeping the status quo.
People with a gambling problem are struggling with control. Self-exclusion is done during a moment of clarity — an understanding that help is needed. Simply reinstating access without a request to do so works against that. It’s like helping an alcoholic celebrate a year’s sobriety by pouring a glass of champagne. It is disrespectful of the struggle.
Instead, it would be better to see the same process in place for the other gambling avenues — especially the online gaming that puts a casino in every cellphone.
The state’s responsibility is the well-being of its citizens. When people with a problem ask for help — especially help that does not cost the state a dime — the safety net shouldn’t be rolled up and put away when the clock runs out.