Pennsylvania Sees Surge in Self-Exclusion Enrollments

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) recently released its latest Annual Report for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The report reveals various noteworthy developments, including a notable surge in the number of people enrolling in the state’s self-exclusion program. This particular development sends mixed signals. Here’s a deeper dive into the report’s findings and their implications. 

A spike in self-exclusion enrollments 

The annual report reveals that 9,677 individuals requested to join the self-exclusion database during the 2025-26 fiscal year. Notably, this is an increase of 18.1% compared to the previous fiscal year, when enrollments reached 8,197. There are currently 30,000 active enrollments on the state’s self-exclusion database. 

Notably, the agency also received 4,500 requests from individuals seeking to get off the self-exclusion database. The requests include individuals who have completed their specified terms for multi-year bans as well as people with lifetime bans. 

What does this mean? 

The fact that many people in Pennsylvania are taking steps to join the self-exclusion database demonstrates two things. On the one hand, it shows that more people are becoming aware of the dangers of problem gambling and taking the necessary measures to protect themselves. On the other hand, it points to an underlying problem, suggesting that problem gambling may be on the rise. 

Indeed, a 2025 study by Penn State University confirms that Pennsylvania has a serious problem with gambling addiction. The study reveals that between 2.4% and 6.4% of all residents – approximately 200,000 to 700,000 individuals – may have a gambling addiction problem. Moreover, 25.4% to 29.9% of all adults could be classified as at-risk gamblers. 

Unfortunately, gambling addiction affects more than just the people engaged in gambling. Research suggests that one case of gambling addiction can affect five other people, usually the people closest to the addicts. For families, problem gambling usually leads to financial ruin and major conflicts, even resulting in suicide at times. 

Notably, gambling is at an all-time high in Pennsylvania. Total gambling revenue reached $7 billion last year for the first time, with the state collecting $3 billion in tax revenue. 

Curbing problem gambling in Pennsylvania 

The rising cases of problem gambling in Pennsylvania haven’t gone unnoticed. To this end, lawmakers, the PGCB, organizations, and other concerned parties have been calling for stricter regulations and more efficient responsible gaming requirements. 

In July, a non-partisan report recommended new regulations to address the surge in problem gambling in Pennsylvania. The report noted that the state has two choices: address the problem quickly and risk a decline in gambling revenue, or allow the problem to continue growing while taking targeted actions that wouldn’t have as big an impact on gambling revenues. 

Additionally, the PGCB earlier this year proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s gambling regulations to account for new dynamics brought about by online gambling. Notably, the new changes would include stricter limits on how online casinos in Pennsylvania can advertise – notably, Philadelphia is the largest market in the country for gambling ads. 

Interestingly, the report notes that the board’s Office of Compulsive Problem Gambling (OCPG) has achieved various milestones in its efforts to strengthen responsible gambling policy. The OCPG has developed new responsible gaming initiatives and policy guidance to enhance player protections. The report notes that public education remains the cornerstone of responsible gaming policy. 

A few lawmakers have also proposed gambling reforms. Notably, Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Brookline) has proposed banning the use of credit cards for online casino transactions. However, the legislature hasn’t passed any major reforms to address the issue.