Illinois to clamp down on (Problem) Gamblers

The “Nanny State” is becoming an increasingly common figure in American legislation, to the great discomfort of players. Recently, the Illinois Gaming Board started considering a new program to control problem gambling, and while this in itself is a very commendable action, the way they intend to go about it is likely to inconvenience all casino-goers in the State.

The State has a 'Self Exclusion Program for Problem Gamblers', in which players can enlist voluntarily when they feel they need extra help to control their gambling. But now the Illinois Gaming Board will be holding a special meeting on December 3 to discuss a new program, in which state casinos would have to check the ID of every patron in order to ban the entrance of those signed up in the Self Exclusion program. This is troublesome enough, but there is more: anyone who has already signed into the Program could be arrested if found on a premise where gambling is allowed.

It is a good thing that the state is concerned about problem gambling, but the experts agree that this program would be a perfect example of “throwing the baby with the bathwater.” Illinois casino owners are concerned that ID checks would create long queues to enter casinos, resulting in upset customers and less revenue. They also said that casinos already check IDs of those suspected to be underage or in the Program.

Needless to say, players are outraged by the idea, calling it “overkill” and an “invasion of privacy.”