A New Responsible Gaming Campaign Launches

Responsible gambling remains a top priority for the New Jersey gambling industry. NJ Online casinos and land-based properties work hard to ensure that players have access to responsible gambling tools and resources. March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month in the US, so the state has announced a brand-new initiative to promote responsible gaming practices and offer support for those in need of assistance.  

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin recently announced a new public awareness campaign that will promote responsible gambling and ensure players have access to resources for gambling addiction.

Marketing agency Marketsmith is working with the AG’s office and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement to implement the plan. The budget is $300,000, and the program coincides with the NCAA Basketball March Madness events. It will extend through the National Football season to the Super Bowl LIX next year.

The effort will place attention on the growing concern around problem gambling, paying particular attention to the legal sports betting market. New Jersey casinos and the online sector offer sports betting along with casino services. The industry is booming, and regulators want to ensure that players have access to tools for responsible gambling and resources for assistance when needed.

 The campaign will utilize media placements during major sports events to provide information to players. This will include the NBA Playoffs, Summer Olympics, and NHL Stanley Cup Finals.

The media message will showcase the importance of responsible wagering, especially when judgment may be impaired. We all know that bettors often drink at casinos, and this can be a factor that leads to a lapse in judgment. Emotional factors should also be considered as players become too invested in a game.

The initiative comes after a report commissioned by the DGE revealed that New Jersey has a high-risk problem gambling rate of 6%. Rutgers University completed the study in 2023 and showed that the Garden State surpassed the national average of 1-2%.

The program hopes to achieve several key objectives. First, the goal is to enhance awareness among players involving responsible gambling. If players make smart decisions from the start, they are less likely to experience gambling addiction issues.

The campaign hopes to help identify signs of problem gambling behavior and point out the negative consequences that can result from the activity. Players will be encouraged to adopt responsible gambling limits and controls provided by iGaming operators.

Online casinos in New Jersey offer limit-setting controls so players can adjust their spending per session, deposit limits, and game time. It takes just a few minutes to set the limits for player protection.

Emphasis will also be placed on the self-exclusion program offered by the Division of Gaming Enforcement and the help hotline. The state offers several resources so players can seek help no matter the level of gambling addiction.

Self-exclusion is a perfect option for players who need to take a break while seeking help for gambling addiction. Players can take a break for a short time frame or permanently to work on gambling behaviors.

Attorney General Platkin stated that the campaign will highlight responsible gaming measures that are in place and available through gaming partners and stakeholders. The agency is committed to ensuring that players have access to responsible gaming resources and wants to offer increased public awareness of support alternatives.

Players can seek assistance with gambling-related issues via confidential support by utilizing the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline. Individuals are standing by to listen to concerns, offer support, and provide resources that players can use to help with any gambling addiction.

The initiative is up and running, so players will soon start to see media placements during major events throughout the state of New Jersey.