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The ongoing dispute regarding the national 1-800-GAMBLER hotline is escalating after the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) clashed following an expired licensing agreement.
The NCPG has filed for arbitration to resolve the dispute. In response, the CCGNJ has insisted it’ll run the hotline independently.
Inside the Fight Over 1-800-GAMBLER’s Ownership
The 1-800-GAMBLER number and trademark are owned by the CCGNJ. In June 2022, the group licensed the number to the NCPG for $150,000 annually to operate the line nationwide. The licensing agreement ended May 31, 2025, but it was extended until July 15, 2025.
The NCPG claims it exercised an option to renew, but the CCGNJ disputes that, saying the group failed to do so properly.
NCPG Pushes Arbitration Amid Legal Standoff
In July 2025, the NCPG filed a lawsuit in New Jersey Superior Court seeking emergency relief so that the hotline could continue.
On July 16, Judge Douglas H. Hurd issued a temporary restraining order (TRO), preventing the CCGNJ from shutting down or interfering with 1-800-GAMBLER while legal proceedings continue. A court hearing was scheduled for Aug. 26, 2025.
Between the TRO and the hearing date, the NCPG filed for arbitration, citing an arbitration clause in the original licensing agreement.
CCGNJ Says It Doesn’t Need NCPG to Run Hotline
The CCGNJ rejected the arbitration, arguing that no valid licensing agreement exists and, therefore, arbitration does not apply.
The CCGNJ has operated the hotline since 1983.
Responsible Gambling Support at Risk if Hotline Goes Dark
If the hotline were shut down, it could cause major disruptions in gambling support services for players across the United States — a concern shared by both the CCGNJ and the NCPG.
While 1-800-GAMBLER is the most widely recognized service, other helplines and resources are available if it becomes unavailable:
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (24/7 confidential help)
- Bettor Safe
- Kindbridge Behavioral Health
- GamTalk
- Gamblers Anonymous
- Gam-Anon
Since this dispute began, organizations such as the American Gaming Association (AGA) and the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) have spoken out.
ROGA consists of notable operators such as Bally’s, BetMGM, bet365, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, Hard Rock Digital, and PENN Entertainment.
In a joint statement, they stressed the importance of the hotline, warning that its disruption could cause confusion and undermine years of education and awareness efforts by operators and regulators.
Timeline: A Step-by-Step Look at the Legal Battle
- June 2022: The initial licensing agreement between the NCPG and CCGNJ is signed. It’s a three-year agreement with an annual licensing fee of $150,000, allowing NCPG to use the number nationwide.
- May 31, 2025: The licensing agreement expires. The NCPG seeks another three-year term, but the CCGNJ disputes the validity of that request.
- June 2025: An extension through July 15, 2025, is signed.
- July 2025: The NCPG files a lawsuit in New Jersey Superior Court.
- July 16, 2025: Judge Douglas H. Hurd issues a TRO, barring changes to the hotline until the legal process concludes. A court date is set for Aug. 26, 2025.
- August 2025: The NCPG files for arbitration, citing an arbitration clause in the licensing agreement. The CCGNJ rejects the filing, arguing that no agreement exists, and announces plans to operate the hotline independently.
- Aug. 26, 2025: Court date scheduled for both parties.
