New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy recently signed Executive Order 360. It creates a task force to provide recommendations for responsible gambling in the state. New Jersey is historically known as a gambling destination. Murphy believes it can remain in a prominent position in gambling if it has the tools it needs in place to encourage responsible gambling.
Growth in online gambling
Online casinos in New Jersey regularly bring in more than $175 million in revenue every month. It has been legal to gamble at a NJ online casino since as early as 2013. New Jersey has been a national leader in casino and sports gambling for years. In July 2013, Phil Murphy signed a law re-authorizing online gambling in the state through 2028.
Gambling concerns
The Rutgers University report found that six percent of New Jersey residents are at high risk for problem gambling. The national average is one to two percent. It also found that since 2017, the rate of people who only gamble online has tripled.
With the tremendous growth in online gambling, there are inevitably more concerns about problem gambling. The researchers in the Rutgers study found that the more people gamble, the higher the chances that they will show problem gambling behavior.
One of the issues that often comes up when gambling online is the prevalence of cybercrime. Fraud protection is necessary to ensure that individuals are protected and safe when gambling online.
Attorney General to head up task force
Governor Murphy’s task force will be made up of seven government employees and headed up by Attorney General Matt Platkin. The government employees include the heads of various state departments such as the Division of Gaming Enforcement and the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. The task force members will not be paid for their participation.
The Attorney General praised the initiative and pointed out that responsible gambling requires concerted efforts from the gaming industry, government entities, and other stakeholders. He is eager to explore strategies to help those who lose control over their actions while gambling.
Nine objectives for the task force
The task force has been charged with nine objectives. The objectives include reviewing all relevant literature and how gambling affects certain populations, such as underage and vulnerable communities. It also involves producing strategies to put funding to best use. The task force needs to figure out how to make responsible gaming resources accessible and recommend changes to existing policies if necessary.
In conducting its mission, the task force may consult with knowledgeable individuals in the public or private sector to gain comprehensive insights. Over the next year, it will present progress reports, and the final report is due by March 31, 2025.
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Inez Cooper