1-800-GAMBLER hotline to be accessible all over USA

1-800-GAMBLER is a federally registered trademark belonging to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ). For years, the hotline has aided gaming addicts residing in the Garden State. Soon, however, the toll-free number will assist with gambling addiction across the United States.

The DC-based nonprofit National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has entered into a six-year contract with CCGNJ to utilize 1-800-GAMBLER outside New Jersey. That is the entirety of the United States and the District of Columbia. This development is a huge step for the NCPG to achieve its long-term goal of constraining those with gambling problems.

This alliance is also funded by the National Football League Foundation as a means to enable swift operation of data collation, call-center technology, unification of helplines, and reporting. This is also aimed at making provisions for training and certification of the network centers.
The NFL contributed $6.2 million to the NCPG to optimize problem gambling toll-free networks last fall.

In addition to consolidating toll-free numbers, the NCPG says the NFL funding will be used to significantly enhance the network’s operations.

The deal permits the NCPG to lease the 1-800-GAMBLER number to national resource organizations for problem gambling. Rather than each state getting its own gambling helpline and marketing materials for gambling and sports betting in multiple states, including a list of numbers in small type, the particular number will placate state regulatory requirements.

When a caller dials 1-800-GAMBLER from a state other than New Jersey, they will be redirected to the state-approved gambling resource center in that province or territory. For example, if Indiana were to adopt 1-800-GAMBLER, Hoosier State residents requesting gambling assistance would be rerouted to the Indiana Problem Gambling Referral Line, which is presently only accessible by dialing 1-800-994-8448. 

“Ohio knows where help is available in Ohio,” said Jamie Costello, the NCPG’s director of programs.

“Having one number that’s very recognizable is very important to what we’re trying to do. Merging or harmonizing the numbers gives us the ability to make sure the technology is smooth and people get to where they need to go.”

Felicia Grondin, CCGNJ Executive Director, said: “CCGNJ has always been at the forefront of providing support for people in communities affected by a gambling problem. 1-800-GAMBLER® serves as an essential tool for accessing this support.

“We look forward to working with NCPG to ensure that people from across the country can easily access problem gambling support and resources using this simple, memorable number.”

According to the NCPG Board President, Maureen Greeley, the entire body of the establishment is grateful to have this alliance as it boost their objectives to foster a safe gaming space, and wellness of gamblers.

“This agreement is a vital step forward as we work to increase awareness and access to high-quality services for individuals, families, and communities impacted by problem gambling,” she said.

“With collaboration as one of our core values, we are grateful for this partnership with our NCPG Affiliate, CCGNJ, that will significantly advance our shared priorities of improving health and wellness by offering the most effective programs and services possible.”
 
The CCGNJ has established partnerships with problem gambling organizations in Pennsylvania and West Virginia in order to utilize 1-800-GAMBLER.

“Since its inception in 1995, the National Problem Gambling Helpline has seen exponential growth in calls, texts and chat messages for help from individuals across the country as gambling has continued to expand,” said Keith Whyte, NCPG Executive Director.

“The Modernization Project will allow us to make significant improvements to the operations, technology and infrastructure of the network to keep up with the ever-growing need for problem gambling resources.”

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