Court Delays Ruling on Control of 1-800-GAMBLER Line

The future of who controls the national gambling helpline remains unresolved after a New Jersey court pushed back its decision once again. The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) confirmed Friday that the ruling, which was already delayed once, is now scheduled for September 22.

The CCGNJ VS NCPG Battle

The legal battle revolves around the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline, turned critical for people seeking professional assistance with problem gambling, and it is carried between the CCGNJ, ruler of the program for more than 40 years, and the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). The latter inked a contract with the New Jersey group three years ago.

A Mercer County judge was supposed to decide on September 3 whether to uphold a restraining order that would temporarily limit NCPG’s role in the operations. That order was first issued in July. In case the CCGNJ prevails in court later this month, the helpline would go back to functioning as it did before NCPG’s involvement.

The two organizations signed what appeared to be a six-year contract last summer, though NCPG has insisted there was a three-year renewal clause. 

That detail has fueled tension, along with disagreements about how the hotline should be managed. NCPG has accused CCGNJ of not honoring its commitments, while CCGNJ has argued that callers have at times been disconnected or not always greeted by a live operator.

Maintaining Integrity, a Must

For CCGNJ, the issue is a matter of maintaining the integrity of the service. Executive director Luis Del Orbe explained the group’s stance last month: “People forget, but 1-800-GAMBLER has been operating since 1983. We don’t have a problem with running these operations.” He also reassured callers that the number will continue to exist regardless of the court’s ruling.

Still, Del Orbe made it clear that improvements are needed, asking that no state should be disconnected from the helpline and for callers “to receive information beyond what they can find in a Google search” from the mouth of a “live person.”

Both sides agree the hotline must remain available. NCPG has described itself as a “steward” of the number, while CCGNJ insists it should oversee operations as it has for decades.

On September 22, the court will decide which group is entitled to handle the future of one of the country’s most important resources for responsible gambling.