The National Council on Problem Gambling Thursday announced a six-year licensing agreement with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. The NCPG will now be able to use the New Jersey agency’s 1-800-GAMBLER federally registered service mark in all U.S. states outside of New Jersey, as well as U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
The agreement marks a milestone in NCPG’s effort to reduce barriers to essential resources for those affected by problem gambling.
“CCGNJ has always been at the forefront of providing support for people in communities affected by a gambling problem,” said CCGNJ Executive Director Felicia Gordon in a statement. “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.”
American Gaming Association Vice President, Strategic Communications & Responsibility Cait DeBaun said the licensing agreement is an important step in simplifying access to help for consumers.
We look forward to continuing to work with NCPG, its affiliates and the industry broadly on ensuring helpline harmonization efforts deliver against our collective goal of providing effective, reliable support to those who need it,” DeBaun said in a statement.
The announcement builds on NCPG’s multi-year National Problem Gambling Helpline Modernization Project. Supported by a grant from the National Football League Foundation in 2021, the Modernization Project will improve call center technology, data collection, and reporting while upgrading criteria and offering standardized training and certification for call centers in the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network.
“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,” said NCPG Board President Maureen Greeley in a statement. “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 current National Problem Gambling Helpline Network number, 1-800-522-4700, and 1-800-GAMBLER, will continue to operate uninterrupted as will the routing of helpline calls. NCPG will work closely with CCGNJ, state affiliates, and helpline call centers in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition and prevent gaps in services as adjustments
“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 NCPG Executive Director Keith Whyte in a statement. “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.”
