The announcement was made by Platkin in front of industry members and regulators at the East Coast Gaming Congress in Atlantic City.
The new standards follow online and sports gambling’s rise in popularity in the state. DGE reports that March 2023 gaming revenue rose by 17.8% compared to March of 2022.
Rebuck notes that the uptick in sports wagering and online gaming has made a considerable impact.
“In the face of that boom, we have a duty to protect the public from advertising that could be misleading or harmful. And for those in the grip of gambling addiction, we need to offer as many exit ramps from their condition as possible,” he said.
Among the gambling ad standards introduced by Platkin and Rebuck were new online and sports gambling advertising measures. These included openly displaying the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline in ads, barring wording such as “guaranteed wins” or “risk-free” bets and offering easy and quick ways to opt-out of direct gambling advertising.
To bolster New Jersey’s existing voluntary self-exclusion program, DGE will provide a video-conference option to easily self-exclude without leaving the home.
DGE also plans to create a 24/7 hotline to answer questions regarding the self-exclusion program and process.
Further enforcement
Notably, the Attorney General confirmed in his announcement the addition of a senior level position within the DGE dedicated to responsible gaming.
The new responsible gaming coordinator will deal with concerns around responsible gaming and protect and advance state initiatives.
The position is to be filled by an experienced attorney and will report directly to the DGE director.
Attorney General Platkin hails the impact of this new role.
“By establishing a dedicated, senior level position within the Division of Gaming Enforcement to focus on responsible gaming, we are sending a clear message that we take this work seriously – and so should the industry,” he said.
Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling congratulates Platkin and Rebuck on their advancements.
“The initiatives announced today further bolster responsible gambling protections and reduce barriers for people seeking help,” Whyte said.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/social-responsibility/responsible-gambling/new-jersey-strengthens-responsible-gaming-initiatives/
