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NJ LOTTERY, COUNCIL ON COMPULSIVE GAMBLING MARK NATIONAL PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS WEEK
Chairman of National Problem Gambling Awareness Week and NJ Lottery Director Spotlight Initiatives Promoting Responsible Play
Trenton, NJ – (March 2, 2009) – The New Jersey State Lottery announced that it will be jointly promoting the Seventh Annual National Problem Gambling Awareness Week, March 1-7, 2009, with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ). Problem Gambling Awareness Week is a multi-level public awareness and outreach campaign sponsored by the National Council of Problem Gambling, the Association of Problem Gambling Service Administrators, and statewide addiction services agencies like the CCGNJ.
“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 William T. Jourdain, “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.”
Donald Weinbaum, Executive Director of the CCGNJ 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.”
Jeff Beck, National Chairman of the Seventh Annual National Problem Gambling Awareness Week, noted that problem gaming is not 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 ‘Real Addiction, Real Recovery'. Problem gambling, like any addictive behavior, affects the lives of individuals and those close to them. Recovery from addictive behaviors is definitely possible.”
Among the initiatives being implemented by the Lottery and CCGNJ are:
- Messaging announcements will broadcast on all Lottery retailer computer terminals about the observance of National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
- The New Jersey Lottery website home page will feature an announcement about the observance of National Problem Gambling Awareness Week
- Information about National Problem Gambling Awareness Week will be included on the Lottery website's Responsible Play section, along with a links to the website for National Problem Gambling Awareness Week and to the CCGNJ web page listing specific scheduled activities during Awareness Week
- Broadcast announcements will be run across the screen during nightly televised lottery commercials indicating that: “National Problem Gambling Awareness Week is being observed March 1-7. For more information, call 1-800 GAMBLER ©.”
- In addition to the Problem Gambling brochure, further materials will be added to all NJ Lottery Speaker's Bureau presentations scheduled during February and March that address this important event as a lead-in prior to and a follow-up after the observance of National Problem Gambling Awareness Week
- “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” decals will continue to be displayed on all Lottery retailer computer terminals & ITVM's
Posters will be displayed throughout Lottery offices about the observance of Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
The Lottery has participated on the CCGNJ Board of Directors since June 1999. Furthermore, the Council's gambling hotline (1-800-GAMBLER) is printed on lottery tickets, brochures, signs, and is also heard as a tag line on all of our radio advertisements. Throughout the year, the Lottery's website directs visitors to the Council's site ( www.800gambler.org ), which provides people with free information and guidance about obtaining help for compulsive gamblers.
About the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc.
Since 1983, the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc. has helped problem and compulsive gamblers. The group was one of the pioneers in the compulsive gambling field and remains one of the leaders in providing professional and compassionate services to a wide range of audiences. The Council's mission is to provide prevention, education and referral services to anyone affected by this illness. They operate the most widely recognized gambling help number in the world, the 1-800-GAMBLER ™ Helpline. The help number offers 24-hour, immediate, confidential assistance to anyone affected by gambling problems.
About the New Jersey Lottery
Since its inception in 1970, the New Jersey State Lottery has contributed over $17 billion to State education and institutions. As the State's fourth largest revenue producer, the New Jersey State Lottery saved taxpayers over $882 million in fiscal year '08 by returning game proceeds to important educational programs and State-run facilities. On average, six thousand businesses throughout the Garden State prosper from their partnership with the New Jersey State Lottery.
The New Jersey Lottery is aware that for some individuals any form of gaming can be a problem. As a result, the New Jersey Lottery promotes and encourages responsible play. If you or someone you know shows symptoms of problem gambling, there is hope. Problem gambling is a treatable illness. With proper treatment, problem gamblers can begin the recovery process and regain control of their lives.
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