VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The BC Lottery Corporation is trying to come up with ways to keep problem gamblers out of casinos even after they’ve voluntarily agreed to stay away. Two reviews have looked into the effectiveness of what’s called the Volunteer Self-Exclusion program.

One of those studies was done by the Responsible Gaming Council. It says people want to see tougher consequences for people who break their exclusion rules. In its words, “More people want to see greater teeth in the process.” But it does say the program provides access to counselling and praises the fact it doesn’t let a problem gambler keep any winnings if they’re breaking their exclusion rules.

The other study was performed by the BC Centre for Social Responsibility. It found the facial recognition technology used to screen problem gamblers isn’t doing a good enough job.

The reviews recommend tougher penalties and better detection methods for those problem gamblers.

The corporation’s Paul Smith says they don’t yet know what increased penalties will mean. “Options in place in some other jurisdictions include extending the self-exclusion time and in some jurisdictions there [are] trespassing charges levied against the individuals.”

Addiction counsellors say they favour more treatment for problem gamblers over punishment. Jennifer Gregg, who works in the field, says gambling addicts are already paying a heavy price for their problem.

“Because we have individuals out there that are already paying multiple penalties for their addictions, and we get to a point of how much do you be punitive with people that are already suffering?”

The self-exclusion program began in 1999.