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NJ awards $720K to combat gambling addiction as sports betting surges. Where to find help

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NJ awards 0K to combat gambling addiction as sports betting surges. Where to find help

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New Jersey has announced $720,000 in grants to improve treatment for people who struggle with gambling addiction while also dealing with mental health or substance use issues.

The grants were awarded to six organizations around the state, including Eva’s Village in Passaic County and Integrity Inc. in Essex County, the Department of Human Services said Monday. The goal is to make help more available and effective in a state where problems have surged along with the availability of online gaming.

“More than 90% of individuals with gambling disorders have a co-occurring behavioral health need, and the impact of these challenges affects families, workplaces and our communities,” said Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “Through these provider partnerships, we will widen the availability of mental health and substance use disorder providers in the state who also have the expertise to identify and treat gambling disorders.”

Each organization will hire at least one full-time specialist trained to help people with gambling problems. Services will include screenings, counseling and therapy designed specifically for gambling addiction, in addition to their existing mental health and substance abuse programs, state officials said.

The organizations will also connect people to support groups like Gamblers Anonymous, financial counseling and stress management programs, officials said.

New FDU poll examines gambling problems

The announcement comes as gambling addiction has become a growing concern. A Fairleigh Dickinson University poll released in October found that 10% of men ages 18 to 30 reported gambling problems, compared with 3% of the overall adult population.

Sports betting has been legal in New Jersey since the state won a landmark legal challenge before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. Since then, state residents have wagered nearly $34 billion. Most of that, including $7.8 billion in the first eight months of 2024 alone, was bet online or through mobile apps.

Studies have shown that sports betting, now legal in 39 states, is particularly risky, leading to higher rates of debt, lower savings and even bankruptcies, the nonprofit news organization Stateline reported last week.

Experts warn that the convenience of online betting, combined with heavy advertising, has made gambling more addictive, particularly for young men.

The Listening Line: NJ nonprofit aims to reach people before they hit crisis point

“This is about working more efficiently to reach people struggling with addiction,” said Valerie Mielke, deputy commissioner for health services. “By integrating gambling disorder services, we hope to bring co-occurring gambling disorder into the mental health and substance use disorder treatment network, so more people can get the services they need to support their recovery.”

Specialists at the six grant recipients will help clients tackle debt, broken relationships, legal problems and access to community services, the state said.

The state said it also has taken other steps to combat gambling addiction, including setting up a task force to study the issue and propose stricter limits on certain types of sports bets.

NJ awards for help with gambling disorder

According to the state, these six organizations will each get $120,000:

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

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, call or text 800-GAMBLER, a confidential helpline available 24/7. For substance abuse help, call 844-ReachNJ. For mental health support, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

Gene Myers covers disability and mental health for NorthJersey.com and the USA TODAY Network. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: myers@northjersey.com; X/Twitter: @myersgene  

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