Evaluation of the Massachusetts Voluntary Self Exclusion Program

Abstract: Voluntary self-exclusion (VSE) is a popular intervention that has been implemented by governments and casinos across the globe. VSE programs permit individuals to ban themselves from entering specific casinos for a specified time period or for a lifetime. The purpose of these programs has evolved from its more punitive intervention beginnings (i.e., charging people who violated their VSE contracts with criminal trespass) toward prevention and harm reduction. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the Massachusetts Voluntary Self Exclusion Program (MA-VSEP) and to assess the gambling behaviors, gambling problems, mental health, and well-being of MA-VSEP enrollees across time. Results of both quantitative and qualitative data collected from MA-VSEP enrollees suggest that these enrollees have had positive experiences with the program and demonstrated improvements in their gambling behavior, gambling-related problems, and general well-being in the 6-12 months since enrollment. Though we hypothesized that these positive outcomes would be mediated by increased engagement in treatment, a more complex pattern emerged. Implications: The current study adds to the small base of literature investigating the effect of voluntary self-exclusion programs longitudinally, examines whether resources and encouragement to seek treatment upon VSEP enrollment can increase treatment-seeking and positive outcomes for VSEP enrollees, and provides recommendations for improving VSE programs based on the study findings