NJ to Donate $720K to Six Addiction Treatment Organizations

New Jersey has unveiled new grants that would help gambling addiction treatment organizations across the state. The state is ambitious to make help more readily available and effective as the iGaming sector grows.

The Government Has Approved $720K in Grants

The government has approved a total of $720,000 in grants. This money will be awarded to six local organizations that help people dealing with gambling harm and accompanying mental health or substance abuse issues. The grants will help the organizations hire more experts and offer enhanced services.

According to the Department of Human Services, each of the six organizations will hire at least one full-time specialist who knows how to help those struggling with problem gambling. In addition, the organizations will offer screenings, counseling and therapy, enhancing their services portfolio. The organizations already offer mental health and substance abuse programs.

The treatment organizations will also redirect players toward support groups, financial counseling organizations and stress management programs.

Sarah Adelman, a human services commissioner at the Department of Human Services, noted that over 90% of those experiencing problem gambling also have a behavioral health need. Since gambling harm can have a significant impact on families, workplaces and communities, it is crucial to make help available to as many people as possible. Adelman added that it is very important to widen the availability of mental health and substance use disorder providers.

Six Organizations Will Be Given $120,000 Each

The six recipients of the grants will each get $120,000. Thanks to this, operators will be able to enhance their services and help their clients deal with the various personal, financial and legal services they might face.

The six grant recipients include the following companies:

• Eva’s Village Inc. (Passaic County)
• Integrity Inc. (Essex County)
• Legacy Treatment Services (Atlantic County)
• Legacy Treatment Services (Burlington County)
• Legacy Treatment Services (Camden County)
• Monmouth Medical Center (Monmouth County)

The grants come amid growing concerns about the gambling problems experienced by many adults in the state. The growth of sports betting has led to a spike in such problems, raising concerns among regulators, mental health organizations and industry critics alike.

In the meantime, New Jersey has taken additional steps to curb its gambling addiction rates. This has included the creation of a task force that will study the market and propose possible changes and limits to betting.