New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin used his speech at the East Coast Gaming Congress in Atlantic City to unveil new or advanced efforts to deal with the issue of responsible gaming. Steps include:
- Advertising standards
- Enhanced self-exclusion
- Casino marketing
- Creating a position to monitor efforts
Advertising must feature a 1-800-GAMBLER hotline displayed conspicuously. Sportsbooks cannot promise “guaranteed wins” or “risk-free” bets unless the bettor is totally compensated for losses. Indeed, betting requirements must be succinct in terms and conditions, according to the Associated Press.
New regs set restrictions to keep advertising away from locales that could tempt those under 21 years of age to wager, and goes even further by insisting operators offer a way for the public to be excluded from direct mail ads.
“As New Jersey’s gaming and sports wagering industries continue to grow and mature, so do our obligations to assist patrons who are at risk for problem gambling,” Platkin said.
He said the measures “will help protect consumers and make it easier for individuals to access the help they need when their gaming behavior becomes problematic.”
The latest regulations follow new obligations approved by regulators just before the Super Bowl to analyze data collected on customers in search for problem gambling evidence, and intervene if warranted.
The position within the Division of Gaming Enforcement will monitor the success of the initiatives.
The agency will also make it easier for people with a gambling problem to add their names to New Jersey’s voluntary self-exclusion lists including video conferences. The lists are circulated to casinos and gambling-related affiliates, requiring them not to let people on the list gamble in person or online, and prohibiting sending gambling marketing materials to them.
A 24/7 helpline will also be created to help people sign up or answer questions.
Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, hopes other states will follow suit.
