NJ.com – Those who want to stop themselves from being allowed to gamble in New Jersey would be able to without admit a gambling problem under legislation advanced by a Senate panel today.
New Jersey keeps lists of people who have self-excluded themselves from gaming activity, either at Atlantic City casinos and online or just online. But in order to get on the lists, an applicant has to acknowledge he or she is a “problem gambler.”
For some, that’s a step too far, according to those who deal with gambling addicts.
“This is an option for people who are thinking about whether they have a problem, perhaps trying to buy time, as well as those who do know they have a problem,” said Donald Weinbaum, executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. “It has become clear over the years that the need to affirmatively declare is actually a barrier. People we’ve been in touch with are thinking. They’re not sure what they want to call themselves.”
The Senate state government committee approved the bill (A2444), which was passed by the Assembly in March, by a vote of 5-0. It now heads for a vote in the full state Senate.
