The Illinois Gaming Board has announced a massive $800,000 fine for the Aurora casino which was found to be targeting problem gamblers with their promotional literature. The campaign was in direct defiance of an earlier ruling by the Board which had warned casinos in the State not to promote their services to those with gambling problems.
While the figures for the mail shot were fairly small, at just 16,000, it was found that 146 of those who received the literature were actual enrolled with the gaming boards problem gambling program. This program was designed so that those who recognised that they had a problem would be able to cut off contact to and from casinos in the State and give themselves a fighting chance of controlling their addictions.
The size of the fine has put others in the sector on their guard with the Gaming Board sending out a very strong message to those who are considering similar action. As problem gambling in the US continues to soar it is up to the sector as a whole to take the moral high ground and offer assistance where possible. While on the whole casino companies are abiding by the letter of the law, this fine should remind those who may be tempted.
The Illinois Gaming Board has announced a massive $800,000 fine for the Aurora casino which was found to be targeting problem gamblers with their promotional literature. The campaign was in direct defiance of an earlier ruling by the Board which had warned casinos in the State not to promote their services to those with gambling problems.