Hamilton, NJ -- (SBWire) -- 08/05/2016 --This year, the first week of August marked the 19th annual Responsible Gaming Education Week, an initiative by the American Gaming Association to showcase the AGA's dedication to responsible gaming. Gambling disorders currently affect as many as 6 million Americans, and the AGA asserts that the gaming industry bears a duty to promote environments in which gamblers can play in safe, legal and informative environments that encourage responsible behavior. The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ), a non-profit organization that offers help and resources for those struggling with a gambling addiction, commends the AGA's initiative and commemorated Responsible Gaming Education Week this year.

On Tuesday, August 2nd, CCGNJ Executive Director Neva Pryor and Assistant Executive Director Dan Trolaro participated in a joint press conference with Northstar and the NJ Lottery at the Lucky 7 Deli in Lawrenceville, as part of Responsible Gaming Education Week. Pryor spoke about the importance of responsible gaming, among other topics essential to creating a culture of awareness about problem gambling. According to the AGA Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming, AGA casinos and gambling establishments in Atlantic City and throughout the nation should actively promote responsible gambling, prevent underage gambling and unattended minors in casinos, serve alcoholic beverages responsibly and advertise responsibly. The full Code of Conduct, for those interested in learning how to gamble responsibly or promote responsible play in NJ and elsewhere, can be viewed here.

The CCGNJ neither condemns nor condones gambling and gaming; their mission is to offer support, treatment and hope to New Jersey residents who are struggling with gambling addiction. The Council's 24/7, confidential hotline, 1-800-GAMBLER, provides a lifeline for problem gamblers (or their loved ones) in need of resources like inpatient treatment and Gamblers Anonymous meetings. They serve people struggling with any type of gambling problem, from casino gambling in AC to online gambling and more.

To learn more about the CCGNJ's mission and gambling problem help resources, visit http://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.