New Jersey becomes first state to require gambling operators to identify and address problem gambling
NEW JERSEY — New Jersey has become the first state in the nation to establish mandatory, data-driven responsible gaming requirements for gambling operators, requiring companies to identify potentially harmful gambling behavior and intervene when customers show signs of a problem.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) announced Tuesday that the new requirements have been formally adopted into state regulations, making them legally enforceable.
The regulations establish uniform standards for monitoring gambling activity, identifying customers who may be at risk and providing assistance through a three-phase intervention process.
“New Jersey continues to lead the way in developing data driven best practices for Internet gaming and online sports wagering, said Governor Mikie Sherrill. “We continue to work to make the online world safer and to focus on safeguards that protect people’s wellbeing and help connect those who are struggling with the support they need.”
“We are proud to enact regulations that require operators to offer resources, including live support if appropriate, to those struggling with problem gambling,” said Attorney General Davenport. “We have a responsibility to keep the gaming industry accountable and ensure that help is available to those who need it.”
New regulations require monitoring and intervention
Under the new rules, every gambling operator must designate a responsible gaming lead to oversee its efforts to identify and address potentially harmful gambling behavior.
Operators must also use mandatory thresholds for customer gambling activity and behavioral indicators to identify individuals who may need additional support.
When customers meet those criteria, operators are required to conduct a due diligence review to determine whether they are exhibiting signs of potential problem gambling.
If a customer is determined to be at risk, the operator must place that individual on its list of at-risk patrons and implement interventions through three phases based on the customer’s assessed needs.
“These initiatives reflect DGE’s commitment to responsible gaming through practical, proven methods,” said DGE Interim Director Flaherty. “Our regulations identify and respond to gambling-related harm. When signs of problem gaming arise, operators must act to ensure early intervention and support, tiered to individual need.”
According to state officials, gambling operators already maintain responsible gaming personnel and follow similar practices under previously established guidelines. However, those guidelines did not establish uniform, legally enforceable standards for determining when further reviews and interventions were required.
The new regulations are intended to establish consistent requirements across the industry and ensure that customers showing signs of problem gambling receive timely assistance.
State officials also raised concerns about recent reports alleging that some gambling companies have used aggressive marketing or promotional tactics to target customers displaying signs of gambling disorders.
The state said gambling operators must comply with New Jersey law and that regulators will continue evaluating whether additional safeguards are necessary as the industry and its technology evolve.
State seeks Supreme Court review of prediction market dispute
As part of its broader efforts to regulate gambling, New Jersey is also asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear its case against prediction market operator Kalshi.
The state argues that prediction markets must be subject to state gambling laws, including regulatory requirements intended to protect consumers.
According to the attorney general’s office, a bipartisan coalition of 39 states and the District of Columbia, 146 Native American tribes and tribal organizations, the NFL and several industry organizations have filed briefs supporting New Jersey’s request for Supreme Court review.
The litigation is separate from the newly adopted responsible gaming regulations but reflects the state’s broader position that gambling-related activities should remain subject to state oversight.
Free gambling recovery app now available
In addition to the new regulations, Davenport and the DGE announced that New Jersey residents and other individuals located within the state can now access RecoverMe, a gambling recovery application, free of charge.
The app uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques to help individuals understand their gambling behavior, manage impulses and develop healthier decision-making habits.
Developed by physicians, RecoverMe includes validated assessment tools, self-guided therapy sessions and features that allow users to monitor their gambling habits over time.
The application also provides information about New Jersey-specific services for individuals experiencing a crisis or needing emergency assistance.
State officials said the app is designed to provide flexible support for people who may be struggling with gambling-related problems, allowing users to work through evidence-based exercises at their own pace.
RecoverMe is the second free gambling-related support service offered by the DGE.
Last year, the division began providing access to GamFin, a financial counseling service designed to assist individuals and families experiencing financial difficulties related to gambling.
GamFin offers confidential counseling intended to help people address existing gambling-related financial problems and prevent further financial harm.
The state said the combination of mandatory operator intervention requirements and expanded access to recovery resources is intended to strengthen consumer protections and make assistance more accessible to individuals affected by problem gambling.
More information about the free services is available through RecoverMe and GamFin.
