NCPG Statement on the Urgent Threat to National Access to 1-800-GAMBLER

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is dismayed with today’s court ruling which orders NCPG to cease management and use of 1-800-GAMBLER as the National Problem Gambling Helpline number after September 29, 2025. This decision will fundamentally hinder nationwide access to timely, confidential, and high-quality care for those in need of problem gambling support by taking critical services offline. Moreover, it will degrade public trust for the 121 million Americans who recognize 1-800-GAMBLER as the National Problem Gambling Helpline.

NCPG will aggressively pursue all appellate options concerning today’s decision and is in the process of filing an emergency motion asking the New Jersey Appellate Division to enter a stay to maintain the status quo for helpline operations while the appeal is considered. It cannot be overstated that the loss of access to problem gambling resources via 1-800-GAMBLER, even temporarily, could have life or death consequences for individuals in crisis.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of immediate known consequences, should NCPG be unable to utilize and administer 1-800-GAMBLER as the National Problem Gambling Helpline number after September 29, 2025:

National Demand Will Outpace State-Level Capacity

• As a state-level nonprofit, CCGNJ lacks the infrastructure and funding required to shoulder the significant and unpredictable responsibilities of running 1-800-GAMBLER nationwide, putting reliable access to timely, high-quality care for help-seekers at serious risk.
• In FY25, NCPG’s dedicated $1.4 million to operating the National Problem Gambling Helpline – nearly half of CCGNJ’s total annual revenue.
• Call traffic to 1-800-GAMBLER has surged by 150.71% since 2018, highlighting explosive growth in demand for nationwide problem gambling support.
• CCGNJ will be solely responsible for managing a complex network of contact centers and administrators, hundreds of helpline staff, and dozens of independent regulatory bodies, without the infrastructure, recognition, or experience of a national service organization.

Unpredictable Risk of Arbitrary Call Rerouting and Disconnection

• With sole authority over routing, CCGNJ could change or disconnect 1-800-GAMBLER calls at will, leading to unpredictable disruptions in access to care.

Elimination of Text Services to 1-800-GAMBLER

• NCPG will be legally required to disconnect the routing system for text messages sent to 1-800-GAMBLER, resulting in messages being undeliverable until a new routing system is established by CCGNJ.

Critical Service Gap for Unfunded & Underfunded States

• Nine states plus DC rely entirely on NCPG’s infrastructure and funding to connect callers to care through 1-800-GAMBLER. Eliminating this support would cut off access in these areas, creating a dangerous gap in already underserved communities.

Loss of Helpline Stability in Times of Crisis

• The operational redundancy NCPG provides for 1-800-GAMBLER will be lost, removing the assurance that help will remain accessible to callers during contact center staffing shortages, natural disasters, and other crises.

No Enforcement of Quality Standards 

• The absence of enforcement of national helpline quality standards removes critical safeguards, leaving no guarantee that calls will be answered by trained, qualified, or accredited operators.

Loss of Trust Creating Barriers to Care

• Help-seekers will face confusion about whether 1-800-GAMBLER is a trusted source to access care, eroding consumer confidence in the number as a reliable public health resource and undermining years of investment in building it as a single point of access for care. When trust in this vital service is lost, vulnerable individuals may not reach out for help, putting their health, safety, and lives at risk.

Loss of Free Language Translation Services

• Non-English speakers who call 1-800-GAMBLER will lose access to free translation support in more than 240 languages, cutting off a critical lifeline for diverse communities seeking help.

Loss of Data and Reporting Transparency

• Without consistent national reporting about 1-800-GAMBLER, essential data on call volume, caller needs, and outcomes will disappear. This lack of transparency undermines public safety by preventing oversight of whether people in crisis are receiving timely and effective help.

Trademark Control Could Block Public Health Messaging & Impact State Regulations

• As the owner of the 1-800-GAMBLER trademark, CCGNJ could restrict or penalize unapproved use of the number in advertising, educational materials, and health resources, potentially forcing states, providers, and partners to stop using the number altogether. This would severely limit public health outreach and reduce access to critical care.
• State regulations that require operators to advertise 1-800-GAMBLER as the problem gambling helpline could directly conflict with these trademark restrictions, leaving regulators and operators unable to comply with the law or meet their duty of care.

NCPG is the only national organization qualified, equipped, and positioned to manage the National Problem Gambling Helpline. With the backing of long-term partners like the National Football League, and a dedication to mitigating gambling-related harm, NCPG is committed to sustaining this vital public health service and ensuring that the National Problem Gambling Helpline remains strong, trusted, and effective nationwide.