The National Council on Problem Gambling expects this month to strike a deal to take control of 800-GAMBLER from its New Jersey affiliate and then start the process of turning it into a national helpline for people seeking help with gambling addiction, NCPG executive director Keith Whyte exclusively tells PlayUSA.

The move would start an effort to consolidate the industry around a single, easy-to-remember helpline number and end a pastiche of at least 27 different state-level numbers that creates confusion, wastes state resources and frequently flummoxes people seeking assistance with their problems.

The NCPG would eventually replace its own national number, 800-522-4000.