Michigan Offers Self-Exclusion for Online Casino, Sports Gambling

March marks Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and those in Michigan seeking assistance can now apply for placement in the Michigan Gaming Control Board’s Responsible Gambling Database.

The state recently launched its online casino gaming and mobile sports betting platforms on Jan. 22. For people looking to be self-excluded from internet gaming, they can apply to be put into the Responsible Gambling Database.

The form states: “An individual may voluntarily prohibit himself or herself from establishing an internet wagering account or an internet sports betting account, or both, with internet gaming operators and internet gaming platform providers and/or sports betting operators and internet sports betting platform providers.”

Applicants will not officially be excluded from internet gaming, online sports betting or both, until Richard Kalm, executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board, receives and reviews the application. It will be up to Kalm to determine if the necessary information has been sent in. The approval process may take up to 45 days. Applicants will be notified of their result by email or U.S. mail when their name has been added to the Responsible Gaming Database.

Those looking to apply must have their identity verified using a copy of a driver’s license or other government-issued photo identification. Without a legible copy of identification, applicants will not be placed in the Responsible Gambling Database and will not be considered a voluntarily-excluded person.

People on the Exclusion of Persons List are automatically added to the Responsible Gambling Database.

Disassociated Persons List Differs from Database

The Responsible Gaming Database only bars someone from making online wagers. It is a separate entity from the Disassociated Persons List, which bans people from going to Detroit’s three commercial casinos.

Those on the Disassociated Persons List are not automatically put in the Responsible Gambling Database

Players can also use certain features on each app and website to curtail bad gambling habits. Under the Patron Protection Center, DraftKings allows users to set spending limits, establish a cool-off period and apply for self-exclusion from the app. Residents who choose to self-exclude on the app will be able to set a time frame where they will be banned from participating on the app or website.

DraftKings’ Patron Protection statement says: “It’s important to remember that you should only bet what you can afford and always set yourself reasonable limits. But our top goal is bigger than that. From the second you open an account to the moment you get your hands on your winnings; our number one priority is to make sure you’re playing safe and responsibly.”

Other online operators have similar tools on their websites and app to help problem gamblers.