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Casino Control Commission proclaims March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month; officials outline expanded tools for help
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Summary
The New Jersey Casino Control Commission unanimously adopted a resolution supporting March 2026 as Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Treatment advocates, industry and the Division of Gaming Enforcement described outreach, regulatory steps and new consumer tools including expanded self-exclusion and a helpline.
The New Jersey Casino Control Commission on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing March 2026 as Problem Gambling Awareness Month and pledged continued support for prevention, treatment and outreach.
The commission read a governor’s proclamation and heard three speakers who urged awareness and stronger consumer protections. Luis Del Orbe, executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, said the month’s theme—"shine a light and take a stand, unmasking the hidden epidemic"—is intended to bring attention to people at risk and to encourage prevention and access to treatment. "This is a time to shine a light on an often hidden epidemic," Del Orbe said.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the observance highlights public-health risks tied to gambling and reinforces the state’s cross-agency work to help people in crisis.
Industry, regulator and treatment perspectives George Goldhoff, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey and president of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, described the industry’s investment role and argued licensed casinos provide protections that unregulated operators do not. "Our industry has invested nearly $1,000,000,000 in economic development," Goldhoff said, adding that casino gaming taxes and fees provide funding for state-designated programs that support treatment and prevention.
Jamie McKelvey, deputy attorney general and the Division of Gaming Enforcement’s responsible-gaming coordinator, outlined regulatory and programmatic steps. McKelvey said DGE has proposed regulations to codify responsible-gaming best practices—requiring operators to use data analytics and automated triggers, maintain comprehensive plans and provide tools such as forced "cool-off" periods and deposit or loss limits. McKelvey also said DGE has modernized access to self-exclusion through video conferencing and an online portal, and cited a dedicated helpline (as announced at the meeting) and new financial-wellness services to help people with gambling-related debt. "Research shows that approximately 6 percent of New Jersey residents exhibit signs of disordered gambling," McKelvey said, stressing that higher revenue from online gaming increases the need for consumer protections.
The commission voted to adopt the resolution after the presentations. The resolution notes the role of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey and the Division of Gaming Enforcement in providing a 24-hour helpline and supporting prevention and recovery services.
What’s next: The speakers encouraged continued collaboration among regulators, treatment providers and industry to implement the task-force recommendations and to publicize available help and self-exclusion options. The commission placed the resolution on the record as a formal expression of support.
