A Pennsylvania man who had voluntarily banned himself from casinos won over $2,000 but will be unable to keep the money. The man’s name has not been released, but according to Pennsylvania State Police, the 55-year-old man had placed himself on the state’s self-exclusion program in April of 2009.

Like many jurisdictions, Pennsylvania has a self-exclusion program where players with a gambling addiction can voluntarily ban themselves from casinos. By placing themselves on the list, the casinos are not allowed to admit them or let them play. The program is meant to help problem gamblers overcome their urges by taking the decision about whether or not to gamble away from the person with the problem.

Somehow, however, this man managed to play at the Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie, Pennsylvania. He won a jackpot of over $2,000 but his winnings have been forfeited. To add insult to injury, the man will also face a criminal trespass charge. Getting convicted of trespassing should help deter him from doing it again, I guess. That could be one way of helping the man resist the temptation to gamble.

According to Pennsylvania officials, 1,351 residents have registered for the self-exclusion program.

Tags: gambling addiction, gambling crime, Pennsylvania gambling, problem gambling, self-ban, self-exclusion list, trespassing