Caesars Entertainment is stepping up its efforts to protect its gamblers and promote responsible gambling.
The company announced it will expand its self-exclusion program and raise the minimum age for its Caesars Rewards users. Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg said he believes his company has a “special responsibility” to protect its users.
“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. We take that responsibility very seriously, and these new policies reflect that commitment.”
Self-exclusion expansion to be implemented by end of month
Self-exclusion programs allow gamblers to essentially ban themselves from gaming facilities and apps. The ban typically has varying lengths of time, from one year up to a lifetime.
Caesars’ self-exclusion expansion will take place in two simultaneous phases. Its IT department will integrate the program into:
- All Caesars casinos
- Online gambling apps and sportsbooks
At the same time, the company will add to its self-exclusion list any gamblers on a state-sponsored self-exclusion list. Caesars Entertainment SVP Jeffrey Hendricks stated:
“The implementation of this new policy was challenging, but our goal was to bring a more comprehensive exclusion option to our players to ensure everyone that plays with us, does so responsibly. We’re honored to say we have achieved that goal and now offer the most expansive exclusion option in the country.”
With National Problem Gambling Awareness Month underway, the company plans on completing the self-exclusion initiative by Mar. 31.
Caesars Rewards minimum age will go up to 21
In addition to improving its self-exclusion availability, Caesars will raise the minimum age of its Caesars Rewards users to 21.
Currently, some states have laws that allow users younger than 21 to access the app. And while the rewards app isn’t a gambling app, some states allow those under 21 to gamble, too.
Caesars has chosen to up the minimum age for those situations to 21, no matter what local jurisdiction said.
“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,” Reeg said.
Caesars continues committing to other responsible gambling initiatives
As Caesars implements changes to self-exclusion and minimum gaming ages, it will continue its commitment to four aspects of responsible gambling:
- Providing responsible gambling training to all full-time and part-time employees
- Running a Responsible Gaming Council, comprised of seven senior company leaders
- Gifting more than $300,000 to various responsible gaming organizations
- Maintaining responsible gambling advertisements on the NFL Network and ESPN
National Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director Kevin Whyte said:
“We’re gratified that Caesars is continuing to innovate in responsible gambling advertising, Team Member training and corporate social responsibility. Their most recent achievements with the universal exclusion policy demonstrate real leadership in the responsible gambling sector.”
