Officials Spotlight Initiatives Promoting Responsible Lottery Play

TRENTON– Recently, Governor Chris Christie has issued a Proclamation declaring March 2010 Problem Gambling Awareness Month in New Jersey, and the New Jersey Senate passed a Resolution recognizing the work of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc. (CCGNJ).
To help promote awareness of problem gambling and that help is available to deal with gambling problems, New Jersey Lottery Acting Executive Director Steven Palmieri met with Don Weinbaum, Executive Director of the CCGNJ, and Jeff Beck, Chairman of the Eighth Annual National Problem Gambling Awareness Week, to discuss joint efforts to promote awareness about the dangers of problem gambling.
The Lottery has provided to the CCGNJ supplies of pencils imprinted with the message “Lottery is not child’s play,” along with brochures containing information about how to recognize the signs of problem gambling which the Council distributes at events and educational sessions it holds throughout the State.
Executive Director Weinbaum said, “The Council continually works to address the unique challenges facing those with gambling problems. It is never too early—or too late—to get assistance for yourself, a friend, family member or a colleague that you believe may have a gambling problem. We’re very pleased to be partnering with the Lottery to get that message out to an even broader audience.”
National Chairman Beck noted that problem gaming is not just a New Jersey issue, but a national and international one: “Our work here in New Jersey is only part of the story. The observation of this week is part of a national effort to spread the word that there is help for those with gambling problems, as well as their families. This year, the national theme is ‘Gambling – The Invisible Addiction’ and the focus is on sports betting. Problem gambling, like any addictive behavior, affects the lives of individuals and those close to them. Recovery from addictive behaviors is definitely possible.”
Since June 1999, the Lottery has participated on the Council of Compulsive Gambling’s Board of Directors. Furthermore, the Council’s gambling hotline (1-800-GAMBLER) is printed on every Lottery ticket, brochure and signage, and also appears as a tag line on all of our radio and television advertisements. Additionally, the Lottery’s web site directs visitors to the Council’s site (www.800gambler.org ) which provides the public with free information and help for compulsive gambling.
“We’re very pleased to continue to work with the Council to further convey the message of responsible play to the gaming public,” said Lottery Acting Executive Director Palmieri. “It is critically important that those who have a problem with gambling—or who know a friend or relative who does—reach out and get assistance from organizations like CCGNJ.”