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800-GAMBLER Uncertainty Continues Amid Court Battle
The 800-GAMBLER helpline has reverted to the operation of a New Jersey agency following a decision from the New Jersey Supreme Court.
800-GAMBLER is back in the hands of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey after the state's supreme court declined to stay a court decision in the Council's favor. The previous operator, the National Council on Problem Gambling, announced that it had diverted its resources to new channels for players of real-money online casinos.
800-GAMBLER shifts back to New Jersey agency's control
A release from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) confirmed that the agency is no longer operating 800-GAMBLER. The statement cites the court's decision to not issue a stay that the NCPG requested as a reason for the change.
The NCPG is still offering resources to people who enjoy online casino games and are seeking information about how to play responsibly, just not under the 800-GAMBLER branding. The NCPG's helpline number is 800-522-4700.
The release adds that there will be no interruption in service at the 800-522-4700 number or the NCPG's other resources, like its online web chat. At the same time, the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) has resumed control of the 800-GAMBLER service.
That situation could change if the NCPG is successful in an appeal of the primary legal dispute with the CCGNJ.
800-GAMBLER contract renewal disagreements spurred litigation
While the New Jersey Supreme Court has declined to stay the decision of the Superior Court, the NCPG still has appeal options. Nick Devor of Barron's reports that the NCPG plans to appeal.
The legal dispute sprang from disputes over the NCPG's licensing of the 800-GAMBLER brand and services from the CCGNJ. The agencies were at odds over issues like the rerouting of contacts from Florida and New Mexico to out-of-state resources after local organizations failed to meet NCPG standards.
The CCGNJ and the NCPG agreed to terms on a six-year contract with a midterm renewal clause in 2022. The licensing deal gave the NCPG the rights to operate its nationwide helpline under the 800-GAMBLER moniker.
After arbitration failed to produce a new contract in July, the NCPG secured a temporary restraining order (TRO) to continue operating 800-GAMBLER that ran through Aug. 26. Following the lapse of that TRO, the CCGNJ filed its own lawsuit, asking the Mercer County Superior Court to compel the NCPG to return the 800-GAMBLER operation.
Judge Douglas H. Hurd granted the CCGNJ's petition on Sept. 22, setting the Sept. 29 deadline for the change in management. That deadline was what the NCPG asked the New Jersey Supreme Court to stay.
The state of nationwide responsible gambling resources
Pending an appeal from the NCPG, 800-GAMBLER is in the hands of the CCGNJ. The CCGNJ has committed to no lapses in services regardless of where in the United States people are contacting the helpline from.
The CCGNJ operated 800-GAMBLER from 1983 to 2022. Barring a successful appeal from the NCPG or a new agreement between the agencies, that is again the case. The NCPG committed to continue to offer resources on a nationwide basis, so people seeking online casino bonuses have a choice of where to seek information about responsible gambling.
