Hamilton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/21/2016 -- On June 11th, thousands of bets were placed on the Belmont Stakes, one of the biggest horse racing events of the season. The Belmont Stakes are particularly popular in the state of New Jersey, where gambling is legal. While neither for nor against gambling, the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) recognizes that large sporting events like the Belmont Stakes have the potential to trigger gambling episodes for problem gamblers, which in turn can cause serious mental, emotional and financial issues. The CCGNJ offers support, treatment, hope and gambling problem help throughout New Jersey to gamblers and loved ones who have been affected by this addiction.
Summer is horse racing season, and the Belmont Stakes, Kentucky Derby and Preakness make up a trio of major horse races that can cause problem gamblers to make extremely risky wagers in hopes of winning back previous losses. Fewer Americans bet on horses than they do at casinos or on lottery tickets, but horse races tend to draw larger, riskier bets from wealthier clientele. Those with lower incomes, however, are not immune to horse betting, and making large bets can be even riskier to their financial stability. As with any addiction, disordered gambling can affect people of all income brackets, leading to personal and financial chaos for gambling addicts and their family members.
After betting on an event like the Belmont Stakes, disordered gamblers who have incurred severe losses—that is, most of them—may spiral into anger, shame, depression and other emotions that perpetuate a cycle of gambling or other co-occurring addictions. But there is hope: Thanks to the CCGNJ, problem gamblers and their loved ones can call 1-800-GAMBLER, a confidential hotline that connects problem gamblers with professional support and treatment, 24/7. It's never too late to find gambling help in NJ.
Learn more about the CCGNJ and the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline by visiting 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.