Hamilton, NJ -- (SBWire) -- 01/11/2019 --As the leading provider of treatment and rehabilitation resources for people struggling with a sports gambling disorder (sometimes referred to as an addiction) in the state of NJ, the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) is helping its residents understand the recent changes being made to the Atlantic City gambling and casino landscape. In the years following the United States' recession in the late 2000s, Atlantic City saw a dramatic drop in the number of tourists visiting the city. This reduction in tourism eventually led to the city's casinos losing large amounts of revenue and finally closing down.

The Garden State decided to legalize sports betting in June of 2018 which is helping to combat this decrease. While the introduction of sports betting helped to bring in nearly $8 million in taxes for the state, CCGNJ believes it could also create a new opportunity for disordered gamblers. To help those recovering from a gambling problem, CCGNJ wants to make New Jersey residents aware of the increase in the gambling triggers that will present themselves in Atlantic City during sporting events such as the Super Bowl and March Madness.

The use of sports betting as a revenue generator for New Jersey is not the only change coming to Atlantic City that CCGNJ feels disordered gamblers should be aware of. The Council also suggests that these gamblers be mindful of the introduction of new housing complexes near the city's gambling casino zone. For example, The Showboat Hotel recently announced that it would be converting its 400 hotel rooms located on the Boardwalk into 264 market-rate rental units.2 According to a study conducted by independent research company Spectrum Gaming Group, living within 10 miles of a casino is associated with a 90 percent increase in the odds of being a problem or disordered gambler.

Anyone who would like more information on treatment and rehabilitation options for those with a sports gambling problem in Vineland or anyplace else in NJ can visit the CCGNJ's website today at https://800gambler.org/. For immediate assistance, please call the CCGNJ's free and confidential hotline — 800-GAMBLER.

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.