When i was in my outpatient program i recommended doing the same thing and the counselor said that wasnt a good idea but to stay away from the machines.

To me self banning is one more speed bump... the more the better. Having said that, I haven't done it. It's great that you have your brother's support. You can do it!

LD, I do believe it can be very beneficial. As L said the more roadblocks we put up the better. I have had friends that have done the self ban or 86'd themselves, whatever you choose to call it. It is tremendous that you have your brothers support in this.
I do believe it depends on your state, and have no idea what Missouri has. I know that here [CA] my friend said it was what you described, except for one casino tried to talk her out of it, basically. She finally had to tell them cut the BS this is what I want. She did say it was embarrassing because she thought they would take her in the back and do it in private. Instead they did it right there, out in the open, where anyone could see. At first she found that a little humiliating, but later she said she was glad because it increased her resolve to never go back to that mfing place ever again! I know there are other members here who have done it, I have not done it for a couple reasons, and maybe they are rationalizations, I don't know.
Firstly I know myself, If I go back, and I don't care if it is with someone or not, I would think "well, I am never coming back here, so I might as well gamble one last time".
The other thing is, there are a LOT of events that happen at the various casinos. Not just concerts [which I love!] but sometimes reunions and wedding receptions. Right now, if anything were being held there, I would not go. However at a later time, if I lick this and feel strong enough, I might go. It really depends. This is all just me. I wish you the best for YOU. Just some feedback.
Congratulations on Day 2!
Hugs, atticus

LD, you need to do what is right for you. If you, under any circumstances, questioning process of banning yourself, maybe it is not a first priority for you. Banning yourself is distancing technique. It doesn't work for everyone. And as for myself, I would not concentrate on it right now. It is better to join Gamblers Anonymous and be active on this site daily also.
Banning myself from casino was a first step I took in February of 2005. I thought it will scare me and cure me from gambling addiction. How wrong was I! Since then, I lost 20 times more then before, got police called on me 3 times and had criminal trespasing warnings. I also started to demonstrate behaviour of steeling inside of the casino and being loud and obnoxious there just to get attention from security. I thought if I'll be locked in jail, then that will help me stop gambling. I would give you advice to start from yourself. Stop, give yourself one day at a time and if you trust your brother, than surrender your finances to him, so you would not have easy access to money. That will be a better form of banning.
Vicky

Thanks for all your support! I am planning a trip with NO money with my brother on Friday. We will go to all the casinos in Miami OK. I feel like this will be very helpful in my GF journey. I know my way of thinking, I will be too scared of getting arrested to try to attempt going back again. I feel in my heart that this is what I need to do. I will keep you posted! Lisa

Hi Lisa,

My 2 cents in your case is to go for it! Self Exclusion helps and works tremendously, it is easier than you thought. The casino where you will exclude yourself will pass the information to any affiliates or sister companies to eliminate temptations for you, and, if you try to get in, they have this facial recognition software that could point where you were and you will be charged for trespassing, so, hopefully, you will not be tempted to go... At all... Otherwise, you'll just make it worst... Good luck!!!!

I found self-banning to be very helpful for me. Actually it was one of the most helpful tools because I know me - I'm too afraid of getting in trouble and wouldn't put myself through it. I would lose my job due to an arrest, so the thought of all of that really was key for me. It's one tool and GA is my main tool. I really appreciate all the advice and insight I get from this web page and meetings. GF for today, I'll worry about tomorrow when it get's here, and continue working on forgiving myself for the past. The casinos I dealt with were helpful and nice to me regarding self-banning. They are serious about it however and while I was embarassed at first by the time I got to the last casino I felt very empowered. Good luck and your brother is wonderful for going with you. Take care, Kathy