The Missouri Gaming Commission denied a proposal this week that was calling for an amendment to the State's lifetime casino self-banning legislation. The proposal was calling for the enforcement of lifetime bans to be significantly shortened to two-year bans, which after having elapsed, gamblers could apply to be taken off of the ban and resume gambling at Missouri casinos.

No details were released on the specifics of why the proposal was rejected or whether the Gaming Commission gave reasons for its decision; However, it is suspected that the proposal will come up again in the near future (probably as a modified version) considering a smaller, less official meeting of the Commission voted 2 to 1 in favor of the proposal.

Missouri was the first State in the U.S. to pass an ordinance allowing problem gamblers to put themselves on a lifetime self-exclusion list. First passed in 1996, the list is now compiled of over 10,000 Missouri residents who have willingly placed themselves on it, which if they are caught violating, can be prosecuted for trespassing and forced to forfeit gambling jackpots taken into their possession.

The National Council on Problem Gambling did not make any open statements regarding the movement to modify the casino exclusion ban. The Council is known for supporting these lifetime banishment lists, which after Missouri became to first to put into action, several other U.S. States have followed suit. However, what the council primarily advocates is rehabilitation, treatment and education regarding problem gambling addictions, which is precisely the angle that the proposal to change the ban is willing to take.