National gambling helpline not shutting down amid contract stalemate

Despite a dispute between the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey and the National Council on Problem Gambling, the national gambling helpline isn’t going anywhere.

CCGNJ Executive Director Luis Del Orbe confirmed as much to PlayNJ earlier this week.

“Absolutely not,” Del Orbe said of any chance the helpline gets shutdown. “People forget, but 1-800-GAMBLER has been operating since 1983. We don’t have a problem with running these operations.

“It’s not not going to be interrupted or go offline.”

The CCGNJ and NCPG have been at a stalemate since a three-year contract between the sides ended on May 31. As Del Orbe stated, the CCGNJ has provided responsible gambling resources in New Jersey, and beyond, since 1983.