Hamilton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/31/2018 -- Throughout the month of January, the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) will reflect on ten of their most important talking points and events in 2017. The CCGNJ released Part One of their Year in Review blog series in the early part of the month, and Part Two will be published in late January.
The CCGNJ expressed gratitude for all those that helped them in their mission to offer support, treatment, and hope to disordered gamblers and their loved ones in 2017. Besides offering numerous resources designed to aid NJ residents struggling with a gambling problem, the Council makes ongoing efforts to spread awareness about disordered gambling and available treatment options.
In February, the CCGNJ sparked a discussion about the legality and popularity of sports betting in New Jersey with number ten on the Year in Review list: the NFL Playoffs. The discussion signaled a recurring theme through 2017 as this form of gambling continued to rise in popularity, especially through the medium of fantasy football and other online sports betting venues. A month later, the CCGNJ observed number nine on the list, National Public Health Week. Disordered gambling affects the public in a surprising number of ways, hurting the health of demographics as diverse as teens, veterans, and seniors.
Number eight on the list was Neva Pryor's appearance on the television program Another Thing with Larry Mendte. Pryor, Executive Director or the CCGNJ, discussed the increasing prevalence of disordered gambling in both teens and seniors. The appearance also gave her the opportunity to talk about the scientific community's growing understanding of disordered gambling.
For number seven on the list, the CCGNJ observed Mental Health Awareness Month in June, elaborating on research that shows that disordered gamblers also tend to experience substance use disorders and/or mental health disorders.
As the last talking point of Part One of their review, the CCGNJ highlighted The Press of Atlantic City's article titled "State Gaming Addiction Rate Four Times the National Average," published in June.
"While I am proud of the work we did last year, The Press's article remains as relevant as ever," said Pryor. "We look forward to the challenges and discoveries that the new year will bring."
To learn more about the CCGNJ and how they can help those struggling with illegal Atlantic City sports betting and other forms of problem gambling, visit their website at https://800gambler.org/. For immediate assistance and support, call their confidential hotline at 1-800-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.
For more information, please visit http://www.800gambler.org.