The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) has rejected the idea that key 1-800-GAMBLER services, such as its national reach and its text messaging and language translation mechanisms, would be compromised after the problem gambling helpline changed hands.
Before and after a New Jersey court judge ordered the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) to cease using 1-800-GAMBLER as of Sept. 29, the NCPG warned that the level of operation it had built up over its three years as license-holder for the helpline could not be maintained under the New Jersey council.
“CCGNJ lacks the infrastructure and funding required to shoulder the significant and unpredictable responsibilities of running 1-800-GAMBLER nationwide,” the NCPG stated on Sept. 22. “NCPG is the only national organization qualified, equipped, and positioned to manage the National Problem Gambling Helpline.”
A CCGNJ spokesperson told SBC Americas on Friday that the text message service to 800-GAMBLER “is up an..