Caesars Entertainment announced that it would expand its self-exclusion program and raise the minimum age for participating in its Caesars Rewards program, as well as gambling online and at its properties, to 21.
Both moves coincide with National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, but Caesars said it would expand the self-exclusion program by the end of March and would begin restricting access to Caesars Rewards during the first half of 2023.
“As the largest gaming company in North America, we have a special responsibility to ensure that everything we do is built on a solid foundation of responsible gaming,” CEO Tom Reeg said in a statement on March 2. “We take that responsibility very seriously, and these new policies reflect that commitment.”
Caesars plans to expand its self-exclusion program by implementing an expansive universal exclusion policy across its entire gaming portfolio — including its retail and online casinos and sportsbooks.
“Any participant currently on a state-sponsored self-exclusion list in which Caesars operates will be added to the universal exclusion list for Caesars’ gaming facilities and platforms across the enterprise,” the company said.
“Additionally, any person may elect to add themselves to the list, ensuring that they have all gaming privileges revoked, including in-person and online play privileges, check cashing, credit extension, mail, marketing, complimentary and Caesars Rewards benefits.”
Caesars hinted that it would continue to give individuals the option to self-exclude for one year, five years, or indefinitely. Players that self-exclude using the Caesars Sportsbook app will automatically be barred from both mobile and in-person sports wagering.
Reeg said the company was pleased that “now, when a person tells us that playing with us is no longer in their best interest, we will be able to ensure that they are not only excluded from their local property or a state exclusion program through the mobile app, but they are excluded from every gaming platform we offer, in one simple step.”
In addition to the expanded self-exclusion program, Caesars said it is “in the process of implementing an enhanced 21+ gaming policy.” That includes restricting access to its Caesars Rewards royalty program.
“Additionally, where allowed by law, Caesars will limit all domestic gaming, pari-mutuel, sports, and iGaming options to individuals over the age of 21,” the company said. “Caesars’ new enhanced 21+ gaming policy sets the industry’s highest standards to limit gaming activities to those over the age of 21.”
Said Reeg: “Given our national presence and multitude of products we offer, we are confident that restricting access to all gaming options and our Caesars Rewards database, including those options traditionally open to people over 18, is in the best interests of our company and our community.”
It should be noted that the legal age for gaming on Caesars’ online casino and on WSOP was previously set to 21. The legal age for casino gaming in most US jurisdictions is also 21, but some tribal casinos allow gamblers aged 18 and older. Caesars partners with many tribal casinos across the US.
Caesars said that it has recently expanded its responsible gaming (RG) training program and introduced a new RG Council, which oversees the company’s RG policies. The company also awarded more than $300,000 to the International Center for Responsible Gambling (ICRG), the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), and other non-profit RG groups.
“NCPG has long enjoyed an excellent partnership with Caesars Entertainment,” said NCPG Executive Director Keith Whyte.
“We’re gratified that Caesars is continuing to innovate in RG advertising, team member training and corporate social responsibility. Their most recent achievements with the universal exclusion policy demonstrate real leadership in the RG sector.”
