The state of Colorado is home to more than 30 physical casinos and sports betting was legalized in the Centennial state in 2019.
As well as this, online Sweepstakes Casinos are permitted to operate.
Although these activities are intended to be a form of entertainment, things can sometimes take a negative turn.
If you have become concerned about your gaming habits, we will provide more information on what resources are available to you below.
We will also detail the process of self-exclusion from Online Casinos in Colorado, too.
What is Self-Exclusion at a Casino?
If you’re struggling to manage your gameplay or have developed compulsive habits, you may consider adding yourself to a self-exclusion list.
This allows you to voluntarily ban yourself from playing online at a site or physical location.
You will no longer be a member of the casino or have the ability to re-join. This way, you cannot play casino games, make deposits or withdraw.
If you’re on a self-exclusion list, you will not be sent any marketing materials or promotions.
Responsible Gambling Steps to Take Before Self-Exclusion
For many, self-exclusion is the final, permanent step in kicking a negative gaming habit.
Once you’ve added yourself to this list, you will remain on it.
There are steps that you can take before adding your name to a self-exclusion list.
Responsible Gaming At Online Sweepstakes Casinos
If you wish to spend less time on casino-style platforms, you may consider removing any casino apps from your mobile phone.
You can set a spending limit at your chosen site, preventing you from purchasing over a certain number of Gold Coin packages.
You can also fully restrict yourself from making any purchases.
You may be able to choose the length of time that your purchases are restricted, but this will vary from site to site.
Who Controls the Colorado Self-Exclusion List?
In the Centennial State, it’s the Colorado Division of Gaming that oversees the centralised self-exclusion list.
It’s managed in association with the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission.
It was only in 2023 that the centralised, state-level self-exclusion list was set up by the government. In the first year, the self-exclusion list welcomed 288 members.
It’s a confidential and free service that players can use to self-exclude from casino sites and apps for a minimum of one year.
The maximum is a lifetime.
If an brand wants to run casino-style services in Colorado, they must integrate with the self-exclusion program operated by the Colorado Division of Gaming.
How to Ban Yourself from Gambling in Colorado
To join the Colorado self-exclusion list operated by the Division of Gaming, you’ll need to navigate to the site hosted by the Colorado Department of Revenue.
From there, you can apply to join the self-exclusion list via an online form.
You can also download an application to complete and submit via email.
The organisation is headquartered in Lakewood, and you can also drop off a physical application at the office.
Online Casinos vs. Physical Casinos
Placing yourself on the self-exclusion list in Colorado means that you’ll be prevented from accessing both online and physical casinos.
The effects are quite similar.
For instance, any sports betting app operating in Colorado will have your name added to a list. This will stop you from joining the site when it comes time to verify your identity.
Similarly, a physical casino will not register you as a member.
Some online sites and physical casinos will operate standalone or ‘unofficial’ exclusion lists. You can lean on these to restrict yourself from accessing a single establishment or app.
In most cases, they’re identical.
It doesn’t matter if you’re excluded from an Online Casino or a physical one, you still won’t be able to make deposits, withdrawals, or play at either.
How to Remove Yourself From the Self-Exclusion List in Colorado
Once you’ve added yourself to a self-exclusion list, you’ll be required to fulfil the minimum timeframe you’ve requested.
That may be one year, three years, five years or a lifetime.
In some situations, the Division of Gaming Director can review unique applications for removal and grant the request, but that rarely happens.
To remove yourself from the self-exclusion list in Colorado, you need to follow the same steps as before.
You can access the Colorado Department of Revenue site and fill out a request removal form.
Alternatively, you can complete an application and drop it at the office or mail it in.
Once your minimum period has passed, you are not automatically removed from the self-exclusion list in Colorado. You must apply for removal regardless of what happens.
Who to Contact in Colorado if You Have a Gameplay Problem
We’ve mentioned that self-exclusion in Colorado is often the end of the line for many players with negative gaming habits.
However, there are other resources available that you can try.
For instance, the PGCC (Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado) runs a self-exclusion program and offers free, unbiased support.
The likes of Gam-Anon, Gamblers Anonymous, and the NCPG also run nationwide programs that operate in Colorado.