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The ownership of 1-800-GAMBLER has shifted from the National Council on Problem Gambling to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey in a court ruling last month.
The Council of Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania, who has worked with both organizations, told PlayPennsylvania last week that the transition went smoothly in Pennsylvania after the ruling. There were no reported issues.
Calling 1-800-GAMBLER is the first act to taking a path towards responsible gambling. Those calling the number can expect to receive help as it did under the previous agreement between the NCPG and CCGNJ.
What it is like to call the gambling hotline
It certainly takes courage for someone to reach out to 1-800-GAMBLER and speak about a gambling problem to a stranger. Here are some of the things an individual can expect when calling the hotline.
The agent who picks up the call almost immediately is warm and non-judgemental. He or she will thank you for calling to receive help.
The agent will then ask the reason for the call, and begin a line of questioning. The intent of the questions are to better understand what the individual is going through, and remains completely non-judgemental.
Individuals calling the hotline can expect some of the following questions:
- What kind of gambling are you doing? Online or in-person? Slots, table games or sports betting?
- How long have you been gambling? How long has it been an issue?
- Are you employed?
- Any family history of gambling?
- Do you drink alcohol while gambling?
- Have you accumulated debt?
- Does it take time away from work and/or normal-day activities?
After answering those questions, the agent will give the name, number and address to a free treatment facility that is closest to the zip code the individual lives in. It is on the problem gambler to make an appointment, as in-person and telehealth options are available.
The agent then gives multiple resources on ways to protect oneself. One being the PGCB Self Exclusion List, and others being gambling website blocker services, such as:
- betblocker.org
- gamban.org
- gamblock.org
Those calling 1-800-GAMBLER can expect to be on the phone between 15 and 20 minutes.
For those who don’t have a PA area code
If you live in Pennsylvania but don’t have a Pennsylvania area code, the call will go to the state of your area code. The agents answering will direct you to call Executive Director of the CCGP Josh Ercole.
Unfortunately, that adds another step to the process for those who don’t have a Pennsylvania area code. Ercole gave an example of what would happen for someone living in Pennsylvania with a Delaware area code earlier this month:
“Somebody in Delaware gets a call who now lives in Pennslvania, the NJ Council would say ‘here’s how it works. We’re sorry you got diverted but here’s Josh’s number and you can call him directly.’
“I’ll take over the services the helpline is offering and I can connect them with resources.”
Ercole explained that it is the way it always worked prior to the NCPG’s involvement, during the NCPG’s involvement, and after the court ruling last month.
No reported issues
Ercole noted that the hotline in Pennsylvania is running as smooth as it was before. Anyone calling the hotline would not be aware of any legal issues between the NCPG and CCGNJ.
“They wouldn’t know any different. That’s really what we want. We don’t want anyone stressing about doing the right thing or the right place or anything. We just want it to be as frictionless as possible.”
