The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has lambasted the ruling by a New Jersey Superior Court that control over the national gambling addiction helpline must be given to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ).
Judge Douglas H. Hurd ruled on Monday that the CCGNJ has the sole right to run the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline, as it had done from the resource’s initial launch in 1983 until 2022.
The NCPG had taken up the mantle of running the helpline in 2022, under the terms of a three-year agreement with the CCGNJ, which expired in May.
The NCPG had sought to extend the contract but was unable to reach an agreement, and a temporary restraining order was issued in July to keep the hotline running while the mandate for running the tool was decided.
Following Judge Hurd’s ruling, the NCPG has to cease management of the helpline by September 29. In response, the NCPG said the ruling will “fundamentally hinder” access to the helpline for people across the US.
“Moreover, it will degrade public trust for the 121 million Americans who recognize 1-800-GAMBLER as the National Problem Gambling Helpline.”
The organisation added: “The NCPG will aggressively pursue all appellate options concerning today’s decision and is in the process of filing an emergency motion asking the New Jersey Appellate Division to enter a stay to maintain the status quo for helpline operations while the appeal is considered.
“It cannot be overstated that the loss of access to problem gambling resources via 1-800-GAMBLER, even temporarily, could have life or death consequences for individuals in crisis.”
The NCPG explained that it was the “only national organization qualified, equipped, and positioned to manage” the helpline, as it believes that national demand will outpace state-level capacity.