Hamilton, NJ -- (SBWire) -- 01/27/2016 --Early in January, the nation was caught up in Powerball fever as the jackpot reached a record-shattering high. Trying their luck against the one in 292 million odds, thousands of people rushed to buy tickets. In the state of New Jersey, there were no tickets sold that matched all six balls selected during the lottery drawing, which would have entitled the ticketholder to a share of a jackpot that exceeded one billion dollars. However, two ticketholders in New Jersey were favored with partial matches, winning them $2 million and $1 million respectively, and 46 other winners were granted $50,000 each.

For these winners, their ticket purchases were a lucky investment, while most non-winners suffered only minimal financial losses. However, those who have problems with gambling in NJ may be reeling from the financial loss incurred by buying more tickets than they could afford. Speaking to NJTVNews this month, Neva Pryor of the Council for Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey offered insights into how the recent "Lottery Fever" may have affected the estimated 350,000 problem gamblers currently living in New Jersey.

Pryor stated that events like the massive Powerball jackpot and its incessant media coverage can cause those with problematic gambling patterns to spiral out of control or stray from the road to recovery. Problem gamblers, she said, might ignore the real-life consequences of betting on the lottery and instead spend money reserved for necessities like rent, food and money on nearly-impossible odds.

However, those who need help for gambling addiction in NJ are not without hope. Pryor urges anyone who is concerned about their own or a loved one's gambling habits to call The Council for Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey's helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER. The hotline is 24/7 and gives callers a lifelink to support and recovery resources.

About The Council for Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey
The Council for Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey is a non-profit, private organization dedicated to helping individuals seek help for their compulsive gambling problem, and for concerned friends and loved ones to confidentially express their concerns about someone close to them. Their 24/7 hotline is 1-800-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.