Hamilton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/11/2017 -- The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) advises that shoppers use discretion when deciding on the ideal holiday present. Rushing to find the right gift at this time of year can be stressful; as a result, purchasing scratch-offs and lottery tickets is a popular "quick fix." However, these gifts can cause a potential problem, depending on the recipient - regardless of the ticket result.

While playing the lottery is intended as a form of entertainment, it can also become part of a pattern of disordered behavior known as problem gambling. Problem gambling is characterized by symptoms such as an increasing preoccupation with gambling (including lottery play), an inability to stop playing despite wanting to, and a cycle of spending more than one can afford to gain back money lost on gambling.

In the case of scratch-offs and lottery tickets, losing may spur the player to buy more tickets in order to eventually pick a winner - also known as "chasing losses." Winning, on the other hand, might encourage players to purchase more tickets to sustain the "high" of winning. The CCGNJ advises gift-givers to be mindful of the fact that disordered lottery play is as much a problem as disordered betting on sports in Atlantic City, and to choose their gifts accordingly this holiday season.

"Often, when people think of problem gambling, they don't consider that the lottery can be an issue," said Neva Pryor, Executive Director of the CCGNJ. She added, "While we at the CCGNJ are neither for nor against gambling, we consider it our responsibility to educate people in New Jersey about how activities like playing the lottery or scratch-offs can become a health problem."

The CCGNJ remains fully committed to aiding those who are struggling with disordered gambling. Anyone who would like to learn more about how to help those living with problem gambling, as well as how to prevent disordered sports betting in Atlantic City, NJ, is encouraged to contact the CCGNJ today. Dial 800-GAMBLER or visit them online at http://www.800gambler.org/.

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.