In Part 1 of our 2017 Year in Review, we covered the popularity and legality of betting on sports in Atlantic City and elsewhere throughout the state, disordered gambling’s impact on public health, the appearance of Executive Director Neva Pryor as TV talk show guest, the relationship between disordered gambling and other mental health disorders, and the growing rate of disordered gambling in New Jersey. As we proceed with our retrospective, it is easy to see some common themes that will almost certainly persist into the new year. We look forward to all the challenges and opportunities 2018 will bring.
5. The State Senate Bill – In June, we brought attention to a new bill passed by the New Jersey State Senate. The bill regulates and legalizes betting for daily fantasy sports in Monmouth, NJ and throughout the rest of the state. In August, Governor Chris Christie signed the proposed legislation (Bill A3532) into law.
4. Our Emmy-Nominated Commercial – Last summer, our commercial, “Know Someone in Over Their Head?” was nominated for an Emmy. The commercial depicted the despair associated with disordered gambling while emphasizing hope and the possibility of recovery.
3. The 35th Annual Statewide Conference – September 15th marked the date of our annual conference. Every year, we invite professionals from a wide range of fields to share their experiences studying disordered gambling and treating people struggling with such behavior.
2. Not 18 Yet? No Bet – In the fall, we supported the NJ Lottery’s “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” campaign. The initiative aimed to spread awareness of New Jersey laws around gambling and minors, which prohibit people under the age of 18 from selling or buying lottery tickets. At the CCGNJ, we deeply value our partnerships with organizations like the NJ Lottery. Together, we can help people enjoy gambling responsibly.
1. The Ongoing Conversation – During the last few months of 2017, we continued the discussions sparked at our annual conference. Many demographics prove especially vulnerable to disordered gambling, like seniors, veterans, and those that suffer from domestic violence, just to provide a few examples. On top of that, disordered gamblers tend to also struggle with other mental health disorders, potentially complicating treatment. As we enter 2018, we will be sure to explore these topics as we continue to offer our programs and services.
“We would like to extend our utmost gratitude to everyone who helped make 2017 such a productive and enlightening year,” said Pryor. “The Council will carry this energy through the new year as we continue to provide disordered gamblers with support, treatment, and hope.”
If you struggle with the effects illegal sports betting in AC (or other forms of gambling) are having on your life, you are not alone. If you or a loved one suffer from any form of disordered gambling, call our hotline, 1-800-GAMBLER, for immediate help.