It is a well known fact that Massachusetts gaming regulators have put forward the idea of setting a “spending limit” when it became clear that soon the state will have its casinos established.
The proposal was subject to heated debates and the casino investors disagreed with it but the members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission have announced their final decision.
Since regulators’ aim is promoting the responsible gaming, they voted and decided to support the idea for testing the so called Play Management System. It is specially designed to provide players with the opportunity to set their own limit and stick to it so overspending and addiction problems are kept to the minimum.
A couple of days ago, commissioners of MGC gave their official consent the program to be launched in the slots parlor, located in Plainville.
Stephen Crosby, a Chair of MGC, said that the reason why the Commission has made such a decision was in order to minimize the negative impact abundant gambling options might have on local residents. People, familiar with the matter, know that the year 2011 saw the expansion of the gambling law and Massachusetts became the next state where casino resorts were to be available.
Crosby also reminded that Massachusetts is an innovator in making such kind of moves and no other state has launched such a program before.
At the end of September, MGC approved of the Responsible Gaming Framework, intended to ensure sustainability, social responsibility and effective approach towards gambling matters.
Crosby did not hide his excitement about the potential benefits the program could bring to the state. It will attract the most reliable gaming operators, ensure the economic growth of the state as well as the wide variety of non-gaming facilities.
Penn National, the operator that obtained a license by MGC, will be the first to try the program out. Penn National can take pride in being the only operator which was given permission to establish a slot parlor on the territory of Massachusetts. The venue is planned to open within six months.
The Play Management System will allow regular attendees to set a spending limit. They are free to choose whether to set the limit in question per day, per gaming session or per month. All players who use the electronic gaming machines will be provided with that option.
Players will be encouraged to set their spending limit by being granted rewards for their enrollment. They will be notified when they use 60%, 90% and 100% of the limit.
For players’ convenience, the limits can be changed from a variety of places – specialized kiosks, company’s website and at the Responsible Gaming Information Centers.
