Key Moments:
- The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has reactivated its 1-800-522-4700 helpline after a court mandated it stop using 1-800-GAMBLER.
- Both NCPG and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) now operate separate helplines, creating uncertainty for those seeking help.
- NCPG has stated it will continue using the former helpline number until a permanent arrangement is found.
Helpline Responsibility Shifts After Court Decision
Individuals in the United States seeking support for gambling problems have recently faced new confusion, as two national helplines are now being promoted by different organizations. The well-known 1-800-GAMBLER number, formerly licensed to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), has reverted to exclusive management by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) following a legal dispute.
The CCGNJ was responsible for the helpline from 1983 until 2022, at which point the NCPG assumed control under a three-year licensing agreement. When this arrangement concluded, a New Jersey court directed the NCPG to cease using the 1-800-GAMBLER number. In response, the NCPG brought back its former helpline number, 1-800-522-4700, and updated its online resources to reflect this change. Meanwhile, CCGNJ is now highlighting 1-800-GAMBLER on its homepage and at 800gambler.org.
User Confusion Over Helpline Brand Recognition
Currently, individuals can seek assistance from either helpline. However, many stakeholders feel that the 1-800-GAMBLER number enjoys stronger public recognition, suggesting it may be favored by those needing guidance or support.
NCPG Responds With Temporary Solution
In a statement dated September 29, the NCPG voiced its disappointment with the court’s verdict, stating that it could make access to problem gambling services more complex. The council remains firm in its belief that it should be recognized as the national provider of problem gambling support.
“Importantly, NCPG will operate the National Problem Gambling Helpline using the former number, 1-800-522-4700, until a permanent solution can be determined,” read that statement.
“1-800-GAMBLER is no longer the National Problem Gambling Helpline number,” adds a note elsewhere on the NCPG website.
Service Adjustments Following Expired Agreement
For years, NCPG’s helpline used 1-800-522-4700, providing callers, texters, and online chat users access to 28 contact centers across the country. The conclusion of the NCPG-CCGNJ agreement also meant that the NCPG was legally required to stop operating its text messaging service, leading to questions about whether 1-800-GAMBLER will keep offering this service in the future.
| Organization | Helpline Number | Current Status | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCPG | 1-800-522-4700 | Operational as interim national helpline | npgofficialwebsite |
| CCGNJ | 1-800-GAMBLER | Exclusively managed by CCGNJ | 800gambler.org |
- Author
Daniel Williams
