Legal Battle Over 1-800-GAMBLER Hotline Puts National Access at Risk

A legal dispute between two major problem gambling organizations could put the nationwide 1-800-GAMBLER helpline in jeopardy.

The number belongs to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ). It gave the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) permission to use the phone number as part of a 2022 agreement. 

The agreement allowed NCPG to operate the helpline nationwide for $150,000 annually. However, the license expired on May 31, and the temporary extension that lasted through July 15 also expired. 

NCPG states that it has repeatedly requested arbitration, as stipulated in the original contract, but hasn’t received a response from CCGNJ. With no resolution in sight, the organization turned to the courts for help. 

A Superior Court judge in Mercer County issued a temporary order keeping the helpline running until at least Aug. 26.

That decision offers only a temporary fix. CCGNJ still has the right to appeal on just two days’ notice, which means the hotline could go dark again at short notice.

Over the past two years, the NCPG has made 1-800-GAMBLER a national resource for support through cooperative efforts with sports books, leagues, and state commissions. If the line should cease to function, many would lose a convenient means of accessing support for gambling-related issues.

DraftKings rolls out “My Budget Builder” 

As the conversation around national responsible gambling tools continues, operators are adding more features to help players before reaching out to third-party organizations. DraftKings has expanded its responsible gambling tools with a new feature called My Budget Builder, designed to help players manage their spending effectively.

The resource allows customers to establish individual spending limits and reminders for DraftKings’ Sportsbook, Casino, Daily Fantasy, and Pick6 sites. Customers can decide to establish strict limits or simply receive reminders, depending upon their preference.

Once a player sets a limit, it can’t be raised until the designated period ends, but it can always be reduced. That’s meant to encourage safer habits without making changes too easy in the heat of the moment.

AGA launches interactive hub

Other organizations have also improved responsible gambling support in recent times. The American Gaming Association (AGA) has recently unveiled the Play Smart Consumer Hub, a new online resource for players and operators dedicated to responsible gambling education.

It’s an evolution of the AGA’s earlier "Play Smart from the Start" initiative, now packed with interactive tools and content to help players make more informed decisions.

The hub is built around three core ideas: playing with the right mindset, understanding how games work, and betting with purpose. To help users reflect before they play, the site introduces a Pre-Play Checklist, which nudges players to consider how they’re feeling and whether they can afford to place a bet.

There’s also a Responsible Gaming IQ Quiz, a short self-assessment designed to spot risky patterns and suggest next steps. For gaming operators, the platform includes an Industry Toolkit with ready-made messaging templates and guidelines to promote responsible practices company-wide.