One decade of self exclusion: Missouri casino self-excluders four to ten years after enrollment.
For more than a decade, casinos around the world have offered self-exclusion programs (SEPs) to gamblers seeking help with their gambling behavior. Despite the proliferation of SEPs, little is known about the long-term outcomes for gamblers who utilize these programs. The current study assessed the experiences of a sample (N = 113) of Missouri self-excluders (SEs) for as long as 10 years after their initial enrollment in the Missouri Voluntary Exclusion Program (MVEP). Most SEs had positive experiences with MVEP and reduced their gambling and gambling problems after enrollment. However, 50% of SEs who attempted to trespass at Missouri casinos after enrollment were able to, indicating that the benefit of MVEP was attributable more to the act of enrollment than enforcement. SEs who engaged in complementary treatment or self-help groups had more positive outcomes than those who did not, suggesting that SEPs ought to encourage and provide information about additional support and treatment options to participants.
Nelson
Sarah E
SE
Division on Addictions, Cambridge Health Alliance, 101 Station Landing, Medford, MA 02155, USA. snelson@hms.harvard.edu
Kleschinsky
John H
JH
LaBrie
Richard A
RA
Kaplan
Sara
S
Shaffer
Howard J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D032763:Behavior Control / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome