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Finding help for gambling problems in the US has become confusing, as two helplines now claim to be the national resource. The 1-800-GAMBLER number, which had been licensed to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) until recently, is now solely managed by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) following a court dispute.
The CCGNJ originally operated this helpline from 1983 until 2022, when the rights were transferred to the NCPG under a three-year agreement.
With the expiration of that deal, a New Jersey court ordered the NCPG to stop using 1-800-GAMBLER. In response, the NCPG has revived its previous helpline number, 1-800-522-4700. Now, the NCPG website features resources and information under this new number, while the CCGNJ prominently displays 800-GAMBLER on its homepage and resources at 800gambler.org.
While callers can reach out to either number for help, many observers believe that 1-800-GAMBLER carries greater recognition and impact, potentially making it the preferred choice for those in need of support.
Situation is temporary, NCPG claims
In a statement released on September 29, the NCPG expressed its disappointment with the court’s decision, emphasizing that it could complicate access to help for those who need it. The council believes its service should still be recognized as the national resource for problem gambling support.
“Importantly, NCPG will operate the National Problem Gambling Helpline using the former number, 1-800-522-4700, until a permanent solution can be determined,” read that statement.
“1-800-GAMBLER is no longer the National Problem Gambling Helpline number,” adds a note elsewhere on the NCPG website.
For many years, the NCPG utilized the number 1-800-522-4700, connecting individuals through phone calls, texts, and online chat to a network of 28 contact centers nationwide. They noted that the end of their agreement with the CCGNJ legally required them to disconnect the text messaging service, prompting inquiries about whether 1-800-GAMBLER would continue to offer this service.
Source: SBCAmerica
