New Jersey Colleges Now Required to Educate Students on Gambling Dangers

New Jersey Colleges Now Required to Educate Students on Gambling Dangers

Every year, colleges and universities in New Jersey that are a part of the state's public higher education system are required to host problem gambling specialists on campus.

Assembly Bill 1715/Senate Bill 3184 was signed by departing New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) on Friday. The measure mandates that the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) be present on campus at least once a semester at all public colleges, universities, and community colleges in New Jersey.

“Today’s signing demonstrates our continued commitment to promoting responsible gaming and supporting the well-being of students across New Jersey,” said Murphy. “By connecting campus communities with expert resources, we’re taking proactive steps to address gambling-related harm before it takes root.”

The CCGNJ is a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching professionals in the state how to treat gambling problems, educating the public about the dangers of gambling, and directing problem gamblers and their families to treatment facilities. 1-800-GAMBLER is owned and run by the CCGNJ.

Addiction Is Fueled by Sports Betting 

Because New Jersey successfully challenged the federal government in a legal battle that ended in May 2018 with the US Supreme Court's decision that each state has the authority to decide whether or not gambling on sports is permitted, the state was responsible for the growth of legal sports betting in the US. Many college-aged individuals have developed gambling problems as a result of the following mainstreaming of sports betting and the constant advertising from sportsbooks.

"Sports have long been a way for people to connect and form community, but the rapid growth in online sports betting is having a deleterious effect on the well-being of our young adults,” said Angela Bethea, Acting Secretary of Higher Education in New Jersey. “This law ensures New Jersey’s public institutions support students to responsibly engage and offers a resource on campuses to help educate students on the risks of using betting platforms.”

Younger people are more likely to develop compulsive gambling and find it difficult to kick the habit once they become addicted, according to research. Half of all men between the ages of 18 and 49 have an active online sports betting account, according to a research conducted last year by Siena University in New York.

Last week, financial expert Dave Ramsey stated that online sports gambling is the fastest-growing addiction that is "destroying young men."

Inaction on Smoking 

Murphy, whose term as governor ends on January 20, took action on legislation to assist reduce problem gambling in colleges, but he gave up on another urgent issue facing the state gaming industry: Atlantic City's continued permit of casino smoking.

During his lame duck days, Murphy was urged by a grassroots group of casino employees to "forcefully" ask the Democratic-controlled Legislature to enact a smoking ban at casinos in order to cement his legacy.

Murphy used to be in favor of the effort to outlaw smoking in casinos, but throughout the past year, his support has diminished as a result of the casino lobby's propaganda that pushing smokers outside will destroy gaming revenue and result in thousands of job losses.