New Jersey lawmakers advance bill for gambling addiction treatment program
A pilot program to combat problem gambling has unanimously passed in the tourism, gaming and arts committee.
New Jersey gambling revenue has increased steadily and Garden State lawmakers are looking to match this with an increase in resources for potential gambling addicts. A Gambling Treatment Diversion Court Pilot Program is part of Bill A420, sponsored by Assemblyman Ralph Caputo.
Caputo chairs the Assembly’s tourism, gaming and arts committee, which unanimously voted yes on the bill. The bill would prohibit advertisements for sports betting at New Jersey public colleges and universities, and require high school districts to include compulsive gambling risk education in health classes.
Caputo, also a former casino executive and decades-long supporter of New Jersey gambling, also has a pending online gaming bill, and was the proponent of a failed 2016 effort to allow slot machines at racetracks. His newest legislation aims to fight gambling’s “unintended consequences.”
Though the committee was unanimous on an addiction treatment program, its parties were split on a resolution meant to “condemn the overproliferation” of gambling advertisements and propose “restraint and good judgement” in such ads for sports betting or casinos. Caputo added, “It’s a vicious fight for market share. This advertising is way over the top.”
Don Guardian, former Atlantic City Mayor, voted against the resolution on ads and commented, “The only way that they expand is to advertise. I can’t be hypocritical if, as a state, we’re so excited about having internet and sports gaming and collecting 200-plus million dollars in taxes.”
Caputo has centered two of his gambling addiction treatment bills on young people. The Responsible Gambling Council says young adults are at higher risk of becoming problem gamblers due to impulsivity. The bills have also seen support from ex-gamblers and addictions experts.
Tags/Keywords
Players trust our reporting due to our commitment to unbiased and professional evaluations of the iGaming sector. We track hundreds of platforms and industry updates daily to ensure our news feed and leaderboards reflect the most recent market shifts. With nearly two decades of experience within iGaming, our team provides a wealth of expert knowledge. This long-standing expertise enables us to deliver thorough, reliable news and guidance to our readers.
Latest News
