It’s no big secret that when you engage in gambling activities, you’re walking a line that could lead you down a darker path.
Many people struggle with gambling addictions, but there is plenty of help available if you find yourself suffering from an inability to stop playing.
This is as true for Oklahoma residents as it is for residents of any other territory across the United States.
In this guide, we will help you understand self-exclusion from gambling facilities in Oklahoma and walk you through your options for dealing with problem gambling.
Let’s look at what resources are available and determine how you can go down a path of self-exclusion in the state.
What is Self-Exclusion at a Casino?
Self-exclusion is what it sounds like – it’s the ultimate step you take to exclude yourself from a site or establishment in an effort to stop gambling entirely.
If you’ve been on a dire losing streak or you’ve poured all your income into a gambling site, self-exclusion from a casino will see you remove yourself from that environment as far as possible.
In most states, you’ll have help with self-exclusion from charities or bodies established by the local government to aid your recovery.
Some may see this as a drastic step, as you’ll typically be placed on a strict list that you cannot be removed from for a set time.
Responsible Gambling Steps to Take Before Self-Exclusion
Self-exclusion is often the last step you’ll take to restrict your gambling activities.
This is the final step for some, and it’ll see them removed from marketing lists, banned from apps, and barred from physical establishments.
But it doesn’t start with self-exclusion.
Before you reach that point, there are a few things that you can do to slow down or temporarily halt your gambling, especially if it’s becoming a life-impacting practice.
For instance, most Oklahoma casinos – online or physical – will offer ways to limit yourself.
They could offer deposit, bet, or withdrawal limits, time-bound constraints, or temporary freezes.
One of the easiest things you can do to take the first step on the road to recovery is uninstall applications, or ‘downgrade’ the ones that you do use.
For example, you could try using a purely social casino that doesn’t reward you with cash winnings or prizes.
Everything is easier with people around you, so be sure to let friends and family know when you’re struggling.
Some see it as a stigmatised or embarrassing topic, but this issue impacts so many millions of people worldwide.
Who Controls The Oklahoma Self-Exclusion List?
In Oklahoma, the centralised self-exclusion list is managed and developed by the Oklahoma Lottery Commission.
This government agency is responsible for managing the operations of gambling-focused retailers across the state.
This isn’t where it ends, though.
There are many solutions for self-exclusion in Oklahoma, given that the state has a strong relationship with physical casinos.
It’s a little more restrictive regarding online gambling, but physical establishments are commonplace.
To that end, you’ll also find self-exclusion programs provided by SmartPlay OK, OAPGG, Gambler’s Anonymous, and more.
How to Ban Yourself From Gambling in Oklahoma
It’s quite easy to place yourself on a self-exclusion list in Oklahoma.
It all begins with navigating to the Self-Exclusion Program site operated by the Oklahoma Lottery Commission.
From there, you’ll find an agreement form that you can complete and get notarised.
The agency’s headquarters is in Oklahoma City, and you can either hand in the application for the self-exclusion list there or mail it in.
The options are designed to suit your requirements, but at the most severe end of the spectrum, you can request a lifetime self-ban.
It can be harsh, as anyone on the ‘SEP’ trying to claim sizeable gambling winnings will be refused their prize.
Online Casinos vs. Physical Casinos
The Oklahoma Lottery Commission’s centralised Self-Exclusion Program applies to both physical and online casinos.
This is a common theme for self-exclusion lists, especially given the popularity of digitised casinos these days.
To that end, there aren’t many differences between the two.
For instance, self-exclusion from an online casino will traditionally remove your account and prevent you from making another one.
In Oklahoma, self-exclusion from a physical casino will prevent you from accessing that casino, and your account will be closed or frozen.
The more rigorous self-exclusion lists will give you guidance on how to prevent spending on gambling activities at a banking level, blocking payments from going out to gambling providers or casinos in Oklahoma.
Even contacting a body to let them know of your intention to self-exclude is the same between online and physical casinos.
It usually starts with contacting a support line or chat, talking to someone face-to-face or over the phone – or filling out a form.
It’s never an anonymous process, though – that’s just not how it works.
Who to Contact in Oklahoma if You Have a Gambling Problem
First and foremost, it’s the Oklahoma Lottery Commission.
That’s the core body that oversees the platforms operating in the state, so it has the most authority when it comes to gambling problems.
Elsewhere, you can try the following agencies or organisations:
- Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling and Gaming (OAPGG) – This charity is funded by mental health services in Oklahoma and is designed to provide support to those struggling with problem gambling.
- SmartPlay OK – This tribal self-exclusion program allows users to pick a ban ranging from one year to 10 years, and it’s an irrevocable restriction that can have you charged with trespassing if you enter a physical casino.
- American Gaming Association – The AGA can help you track down a solution to help you deal with a gambling addiction in Oklahoma.
- Gambler’s Anonymous – Gambler’s Anonymous is perhaps the most prolific support function. It operates a network of group support schemes across Oklahoma and the wider United States and is free to use.
That’s everything you need to know about dealing with a potential gambling problem in Oklahoma.