Hamilton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/22/2016 -- Thanksgiving Day football is a time-honored tradition in American life. Each year, amidst the feasting and expressions of gratitude, American families gather to watch the nation's favorite sport, cheering on their favorite teams and celebrating victories. However, for some, watching football - or any other sport - is not an occasion for victory but rather for potential downfall.
According to Neva Pryor, Executive Director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ), thousands of Americans struggle with disordered gambling behavior. While gambling disorders can take many forms, an addiction to illegal betting for sports - whether in Atlantic City, the local sports bar or while online at home - is a common one.
As Thanksgiving Day approaches, those struggling with an illegal sports gambling addiction may be at risk. Disordered gambling behavior brings financial devastation as a common and obvious consequence, but according to the CCGNJ, problem gamblers experience discord in multiple sectors of their lives as a result of their addiction. These problems may include but are not limited to substance use disorder, emotional and mental health problems, poor physical health, poor work performance or job loss and domestic problems.
This Thanksgiving - and throughout the rest of the year, thanks to their 24/7 problem gambling support and recovery network - the CCGNJ can help problem gamblers struggling with illegal sports betting put an end to the cycle of addiction. Whether they live in the Meadowlands area or Hoboken, NJ, problem gamblers can pick up the phone at any time and dial 1-800-GAMBLER to be instantly connected with support, treatment and hope. Visit http://www.800gambler.org to learn more.
About The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey is a non-profit, private organization dedicated to helping individuals seek help for their disordered gambling problem, and for concerned friends and loved ones to confidentially express their concerns about someone close to them. Their 24/7 hotline is 800-GAMBLER. The Council also works to train professionals in the fields of gambling addiction and recovery.
For more information, please visit http://www.800gambler.org.