Gambling

Responsible Gambling

Responsible Gambling Assistance Program

The purpose of the Responsible Gambling Assistance Program is to provide information concerning the nature and symptoms of problem gambling and the available treatment resources. Three tool kits are available through this program, a “Self-Exclusion Participant Tool Kit”, “Impact on Family Tool Kit”, and an “Employee Responsible Gambling Training Tool Kit”.

Responsible Gambling Assistance Program offers:

Training Tool Kits
- » Self-Exclusion
- » Impact on Family
- » Employee Responsible Gambling Training
Speakers for events from
- » Gamblers Anonymous
- » Department of Justice Responsible Gambling Assistance Program
- » California Council on Problem Gambling
Youth problem gambling awareness information
- » Brochures
- » School Assemblies
- » Presentations at community forums
Responsible gambling information for patrons and their families
- » Signs and Symptoms
- » Legal and Financial
- » Gamblers Anonymous
- » Gam-Anon
Information about treatment options
- » Inpatient
- » Outpatient

For more information, please contact the Bureau:
e-mail: GamblingControl@doj.ca.gov

Seeking to reduce problems from pathological gambling, the Bureau of Gambling Control is working with cardrooms and others to encourage Responsible Gambling Programs.

California also operates a state Office of Problem Gambling to promote public awareness and assist victims and their families. The Bureau of Gambling Control is coordinating with the Office of Problem Gambling to ensure that state programs take into account, as much as practicable, problem and pathological gamblers as required by state law (Welfare and Institutions Code section 4369 et. seq.)

In accordance with regulations, the Bureau administers a confidential list of Self-Excluded patrons from California cardrooms. The patrons have requested to self-ban from licensed gambling establishments and all games or gaming activities or privileges and to be prohibited from collecting any winnings or recovering any losses for a specified term of either 1 year, 5 years, and lifetime periods of Self-Exclusion.

Our goal is to create a confidential self-exclusion database that will serve as a tool for cardrooms, casinos, and the Bureau in an attempt to assist gambling establishment employees in recognizing self-excluded patrons while offering treatment options for problem gamblers. Self-Exclusion forms are available at all California cardrooms along with brochures depicting signs and symptoms of problem gambling and treatment options, as well as a link to the Self-Exclusion form which is available on this webpage.

The term "problem gambling" includes "pathological" or "compulsive" gambling behavior involving a progressive addiction and increasing preoccupation with gambling. Problem gamblers have a need to bet more money more frequently, may engage in "chasing" losses and even illegal acts, and display restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop. Problem gamblers also persist in their gambling behavior despite mounting debts and serious negative consequences.

If identified, pathological gambling is a treatable mental disorder. By fostering responsible gambling policies and programs within gambling establishments/facilities and developing government-industry initiatives, the impact of problem gambling could be greatly reduced in California.

For more information on the responsible gambling program, contact GamblingControl@doj.ca.gov