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6/14/2022
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Assembly passes Rep. O’Brien and Sen. Ciccone’s legislation preventing problem gamblers on self-exclusion list from collecting winnings
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STATE HOUSE – The General Assembly today passed legislation (2022-H 7424, 2022-S 2496A) sponsored by Rep. William W. O’Brien and Sen. Frank A. Ciccone which would provide procedures to prevent problem gamblers on the state’s self-exclusion list from collecting their winnings at Rhode Island’s two casinos.
Representative O’Brien serves as the Secretary of the Permanent Joint Committee on State Lottery. Senator Ciccone also serves on the committee.
“The self-exclusion program at our two casinos has been an effective means of combating problem gambling and this legislation will further strengthen the protections that this program offers. It will also help prevent teenagers from falling into the spiral of problem gambling through investing these confiscated winnings into research and prevention strategies,” said Representative O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence).
“Problem gambling poses significant problems for those who suffer from it and for those who are close to problem gamblers. This bill reinforces our state’s protections for problem gamblers while also investing in preventing future problem gamblers from being created,” said Senator Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence, North Providence).
The legislation states that a person who is prohibited from gaming in a gaming establishment due to the player self-exclusion program shall not collect any winnings or recover losses arising as a result of prohibited gaming activity by said person. Winnings from self-excluded persons, after the deduction of taxes and other applicable withholdings, shall be forfeited to the State Lottery Division of the Department of Revenue.
The forfeited winnings, up to $150,000 per year, would be transferred to the Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling to use for research, education and prevention of teenage gambling addiction. The balance of the forfeited funds would be transferred to the general fund.
The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for consideration.
For more information, contact: Andrew Caruolo, Publicist State House Room 20 Providence, RI 02903 (401)222-6124
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