Under the six-year license agreement, the NCPG will be able to use 1-800-GAMBLER in all US states outside of New Jersey, as well as all US territories and the District of Columbia.
The current National Problem Gambling Helpline Network number and 1-800-GAMBLER will continue to operate uninterrupted, while in the coming months, the NCPG will work with the CCGNJ, state affiliates and helpline call centres to help ensure a smooth transition and prevent any gaps in services.
“This agreement is a vital step forward as we work to increase awareness and access to high-quality services for individuals, families, and communities impacted by problem gambling,” NCPG board president Maureen Greeley.
“With collaboration as one of our core values, we are grateful for this partnership with our NCPG Affiliate, CCGNJ, that will significantly advance our shared priorities of improving health and wellness by offering the most effective programs and services possible.”
CCGNJ executive director Felicia Grondin added: “CCGNJ has always been at the forefront of providing support for people in communities affected by a gambling problem. 1-800-GAMBLER serves as an essential tool for accessing this support.
“We look forward to working with NCPG to ensure that people from across the country can easily access problem gambling support and resources using this simple, memorable number.”
The NCPG said the agreement builds on NCPG’s multi-year National Problem Gambling Helpline Modernisation Project, which launched last year with support from a grant awarded by the National Football League Foundation (NFLF).
The initiative is aimed at improving call centre technology, data collection and reporting, as well as upgrading criteria and offering standardised training and certification for call centres across the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network.
“Since its inception in 1995, the National Problem Gambling Helpline has seen exponential growth in calls, texts and chat messages for help from individuals across the country as gambling has continued to expand,” NCPG executive director Keith Whyte said.
“The Modernisation Project will allow us to make significant improvements to the operations, technology and infrastructure of the network to keep up with the ever-growing need for problem gambling resources.”