Subject of Possible Rule Making: The gambling commission is looking to create a self-exclusion program that will allow a person to voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling at authorized gambling establishments that offer house-banked social card games. Possible topics included, but not limited to, this rule making: How to register for the program; how to determine if someone is registered; how the program prohibits someone from participating in gambling activities; how a person forfeits all moneys and things of value obtained by the individual or owed to the individual by an authorized gambling establishment once registered with the program; what information is required to register with the program; distribution of forfeited property pursuant to this program; how a person is removed from the program; and information provided to person and operators once person is registered with the program.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The gambling commission has been directed by the legislature to draft rules establishing a statewide self-exclusion program. The gambling commission has discretion in establishing the scope, process, and requirements of the self-exclusion program, however it must comply with the following requirements: The program must allow persons to voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling at authorized gambling establishments that offer house-banked social card games and any individual registered with the self-exclusion program is prohibited from participating in gambling activities associated with this program and forfeits all moneys and things of value obtained by the individual or owed to the individual by an authorized gambling establishment as a result of prohibited wagers or gambling activities. The gambling commission may adopt rules for forfeiture of any moneys or things of value, including wagers, obtained by an authorized gambling establishment while an individual is registered with the self-exclusion program. Individuals and families impacted by a gambling problem or gambling disorder will benefit from the availability of a uniform self-exclusion program where people may voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling at multiple gambling establishments by submitting one self-exclusion form to the state from one location for all gambling activities.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: State lottery commission was directed to adopt rules establishing a self-exclusion program by June 30, 2021, for lottery-related activities. The gambling commission will coordinate with the state lottery commission and keep them apprised of all rule making on this matter.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Ashlie Laydon, P.O. Box 42400, Olympia, WA 98504-2400, phone 360-486-3473, fax 360-486-3624, TTY 360-486-3637, email rules.coordinator@wsgc.wa.gov, website www.wsgc.wa.gov.