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The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) have made headlines recently due to a disagreement over the widely known 1-800-GAMBLER helpline.
The dispute centers on an expired licensing agreement, which has left the hotline’s long-term and nationwide availability in question. Here’s what gamblers need to know about the issue and what resources remain available.
Inside the Dispute
The NCPG currently operates the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline, but it does not own the rights to the phone number itself. Ownership of the number—and the trademark—belongs to the CCGNJ, based in New Jersey.
In June 2022, the CCGNJ agreed to license the 1-800-GAMBLER number to the NCPG for three years, at a rate of $150,000 per year. The deal allowed the NCPG to launch more than two dozen call centers and offer helpline coverage in all 50 states under the 1-800-GAMBLER banner.
That licensing period expired on May 31, 2025. A short-term extension kept the helpline operating through mid-July, but negotiations for a longer-term renewal have since stalled. According to the NCPG, it submitted a formal request to renew the agreement. However, the CCGNJ contends that NCPG failed to properly exercise its contractual option to extend the license.
As of this writing, the future of the agreement remains unresolved—though both organizations acknowledge that the hotline is an essential resource for people experiencing gambling problems nationwide.
Timeline of the Contract and Renewal Dispute
- June 2022: The NCPG and CCGNJ sign a three-year licensing agreement allowing the NCPG to use 1-800-GAMBLER nationwide. The contract sets the annual licensing fee at $150,000.
- May 31, 2025: The license agreement expires. The NCPG claims it requested another three-year term, while the CCGNJ disputes that proper notice was given.
- June 2025: Both parties agree to a temporary extension through July 15, 2025.
- July 2025: The NCPG files a lawsuit in New Jersey Superior Court seeking emergency relief to continue operating the helpline.
- July 16, 2025: Judge Douglas H. Hurd issues a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing the CCGNJ from shutting down or interfering with 1-800-GAMBLER while the legal dispute proceeds.
- August 26, 2025: A court hearing is scheduled, during which the NCPG and CCGNJ will present their cases in hopes of resolving the conflict.
What Does This Mean for Gamblers?
For now, the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline remains active. The temporary restraining order prohibits the CCGNJ from interrupting operations—but that protection may not last beyond the August hearing.
The outcome of the August 26 court date should determine whether the hotline will continue operating as-is, be restructured, or potentially paused.
If the hotline were to be shut down, it could disrupt access to critical gambling support services for millions of Americans—a concern that both organizations have acknowledged.
While the NCPG has issued several public statements emphasizing its desire to maintain uninterrupted service, the CCGNJ has remained largely silent. Industry analysts have speculated that the CCGNJ may be pursuing more favorable licensing terms or may seek to resume exclusive control over the hotline itself.
Alternative Resources for Gambling Support
Regardless of the dispute’s outcome, those struggling with problem gambling still have access to several excellent alternative resources, including:
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (24/7 confidential help)
- Bettor Safe
- Kindbridge Behavioral Health
- GamTalk
- Gamblers Anonymous
- Gam-Anon
If you or someone you know is dealing with a gambling problem, these organizations can offer confidential, judgment-free support whenever it’s needed.
