Hamilton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/04/2016 -- Recently a major casino got in hot water for some language regarding problem gambling on their website. A third-party banner that appeared on the site in March referred to disordered gamblers as "degenerate," prompting an outraged response from the gambling recovery community. The casino responded quickly, denouncing the unauthorized and irresponsible language and moving swiftly to remove the banner. Neva Pryor of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey thanked the casino for addressing the language responsibly; however, she noted that the use of such language indicates that there is still widespread stigma around problem and disordered gambling that must be lifted.
Pryor and the Council stress that problem and disordered gamblers are ordinary people who need hope and help, not shame and stigma. The pull of gambling addiction is strong, and can overtake people suddenly. Commonly, problem gamblers continue to bet on risky wagers in the hopes of clearing up debts from previous gambling losses. As the losses accrue, the riskiness of bets increase, leading to serious financial problems that can affect personal relationships, work performance and mental health. Problem gamblers may also be addicted to the "rush" of a win. The social stigma surrounding gambling can prevent gamblers from seeking help, which means that understanding gambling as a treatable illness is imperative to helping problem gamblers recover without shame.
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey offers support, treatment and hope for disordered gamblers and their loved ones. Those who believe that they or a loved one have a gambling problem can reach out to the Council's confidential gambling help hotline at 1-800-GAMBLER, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers will speak with a trained counselor who will listen compassionately and non-judgmentally and offer resources like counseling and support groups, including Gamblers Anonymous meetings in NJ. Making the call is the first step on the path to recovery, healthy behavior, healed relationships and financial stability.
Learn more 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 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 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.