Definition
An excluded person is an individual who is legally prohibited from entering or gambling in a casino. This status can be “self-imposed” (the player asks to be banned due to gambling addiction) or “involuntary” (the casino or the state bans the person for cheating, disruption, or criminal activity).
In context
A player who previously signed up for the state’s “Voluntary Self-Exclusion” list walks onto the floor and tries to use their player’s card at a slot machine. The system immediately flags them as an excluded person, and security is dispatched to escort them off the premises and potentially issue a trespassing citation.
Why it matters
For the individual, being an excluded person is a tool for recovery or a consequence of bad behavior. For the casino, identifying these people is a massive legal and compliance responsibility. Failing to keep an excluded person off the floor can lead to heavy fines from gaming regulators and the forfeiture of any winnings the person might have accrued.
Related terms
In detail
The concept of the “Excluded Person” is a pillar of modern casino regulation and responsible gaming. It represents the “no-entry” list that every casino employee, from the valet to the shift manager, must respect. However, the management of this list is a complex operational task involving high-tech surveillance and strict legal protocols.
Types of Exclusion
There are three main ways a person becomes “Excluded”:
- Self-Exclusion (Voluntary): This is the most common type. A person realizes their gambling is out of control and signs a legal document asking the state or the casino to ban them. These bans can be for one year, five years, or life. Once signed, they are irrevocable for the duration of the term.
- Involuntary Exclusion (The “Black Book”): In some jurisdictions, the Gaming Commission maintains a list of “notorious” individuals—usually cheats, organized crime members, or people with a history of casino-related crimes. Being in the “Black Book” means you are banned from all casinos in that state.
- Property Bans: A specific casino can ban a person for any reason that isn’t discriminatory. If you are caught “capping” a bet (adding chips after the result), being verbally abusive to dealers, or frequently starting fights, the shift manager will issue a “Permanent Trespass.” You are now an excluded person for that specific property or parent company.
The Legal Trap
Being an excluded person creates a unique legal situation. If a self-excluded person sneaks into a casino and wins a $10,000 jackpot, the casino cannot pay them. By law, the person is a trespasser. The winnings are usually seized and given to a state fund for problem gambling. However, if the person loses $10,000, they cannot sue the casino to get it back, as long as the casino made a “reasonable effort” to identify them.
Identification and Enforcement
How does a casino stop one person in a crowd of thousands?
- Player’s Cards: This is the easiest way. If an excluded person swipes their card, the system locks up immediately.
- ID Scanners: Most casinos now scan IDs at the entrance or when cashing out at the cage. The scanner checks the name and DOB against the exclusion database.
- Facial Recognition: High-end surveillance systems (the Eye In The Sky) use AI to scan faces at the doors. If a face matches a profile in the excluded database, security gets an alert on their tablet within seconds.
- The “Notice” Procedure: When a person is excluded, they are usually photographed and given a formal notice. This photo is shared with all security personnel and pit bosses.
The Role of Casino Personnel
For a dealer or floor supervisor, spotting an excluded person is a “heads-up” play. If a supervisor recognizes someone who was banned the week before, they don’t confront them directly. They call surveillance and security. The goal is to handle the removal quietly and professionally to avoid disrupting other guests.
The Burden on the Casino
Regulators take exclusion very seriously. In some states, if a casino sends marketing material (like a “Free Play” mailer) to a self-excluded person, the casino can be fined tens of thousands of dollars. It is a “strict liability” issue. This is why the database of excluded persons is checked against the marketing list daily.
The “No-Spin” Reality
While casinos present self-exclusion as a compassionate tool for problem gamblers, it is also a massive shield against liability. By providing a self-exclusion mechanism, the casino effectively says, “We gave you a way to stop yourself; if you sneak back in, that’s on you.” For the involuntarily excluded, it’s about protecting the “integrity of the game.” A casino is a place of business, and if a person threatens the profit (by cheating) or the atmosphere (by being a nuisance), the “Excluded Person” status is the ultimate tool to protect the house.