NCPG releases statement following court ruling over 1-800-GAMBLER helpline
Judge Douglas Hurd determined CCGNJ will assume control of the national problem gambling helpline, having previously overseen 1-800-GAMBLER from its initial launch in 1983 until 2022.
Key Points
- The NCPG will be forced to cease management of the helpline after September 29, believing the decision could “fundamentally hinder” access to 1-800-GAMBLER for those nationwide
- On August 18, the NCPG filed for arbitration against CCGNJ after the contract which provided the NCPG with control over the helpline concluded in May 2025
New Jersey Judge Douglas Hurd has determined the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) will assume full control over the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline, leading to an official statement from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).
“The NCPG is dismayed with today’s court ruling which orders NCPG to cease management and use of 1-800-GAMBLER as the National Problem Gambling Helpline number after September 29, 2025,” the NCPG said.
“This decision will fundamentally hinder nationwide access to timely, confidential and high-quality care for those in need of problem gambling support by taking critical services offline. Moreover, it will degrade public trust for the 121 million Americans who recognize 1-800-GAMBLER as the National Problem Gambling Helpline.”
On August 18, the NCPG filed for arbitration against CCGNJ, as the two organization’s three-year contract to provide the NCPG with control over the helpline concluded in May 2025. CCGNJ operated the national problem gambling helpline from its initial launch in 1983 until the contract with NCPG was struck in 2022.
Good to know: New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin unveiled plans to offer a free and confidential financial counseling service to residents of the Garden State on September 17, branded as GamFin, set to be made available through the DGE
The NCPG continued: “NCPG will aggressively pursue all appellate options concerning today’s decision and is in the process of filing an emergency motion asking the New Jersey Appellate Division to enter a stay to maintain the status quo for helpline operations while the appeal is considered.
“It cannot be overstated that the loss of access to problem gambling resources via 1-800-GAMBLER, even temporarily, could have life or death consequences for individuals in crisis.”
The Council also stated it is the only organization “qualified, equipped and positioned” to operate the helpline, as national demand will eventually outpace state-level capacity, and that it will be legally forced to cease management of 1-800-GAMBLER’s text message routing system.
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