News Release

Contact: Jacquie Fiorito, Public Relations Manager
Office: (609) 826-7477
Fax: (609) 599-5829

Lottery Kicks Off Annual ‘Not 18 Yet? No Bet' Awareness Campaign

Council on Compulsive Gambling Teams With Lottery
To Renew Offensive Against Underage Betting

Trenton, NJ (Aug. 1, 2011) – Leaders of the New Jersey State Lottery and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey met today at Lottery Headquarters to kick off the annual “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” Awareness Campaign . These leaders renewed their commitments to responsible play and the prevention of underage gambling. The “Not 18?” campaign is held each year to coincide with the American Gaming Association's Responsible Gaming Education Week, scheduled this year for Aug.1-5.

“The NJ Lottery promotes responsible play and insists on the strongest possible measures to prevent underage gambling,” New Jersey Lottery Marketing Director Foster Krupa said. “Our active partnership with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey has paid many dividends over the years, and we look forward to working with the Council for years to come on responsible gaming outreach.”

As part of its effort, the New Jersey Lottery has prepared “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” brochures aimed at retailers and players. This brochure provides information about the major types of teen betting and ways to recognize signs that could indicate problem gambling in teens. In addition, the brochure tells concerned individuals where to go for advice and help. This brochure is available at each of 6,100 registered Lottery retailer locations, at all Lottery-sponsored exhibits and events, and through the Lottery website www.njlottery.net . In addition, promos of the “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” program and the 1-800-GAMBLER® Helpline number are continually flashed on Lottery's digital messaging screens at all retailer locations.

“I am grateful to the Lottery for their support and commitment to all of our initiatives,” said Donald Weinbaum, the Council's executive director. “The Lottery continues to be a great partner in promoting the importance of playing responsibly and in publicizing the 1-800-GAMBLER® number. If a parent thinks their child might have a gambling problem, they can call that number for advice and helpful resources.”

Today, the Lottery provided the Council on Compulsive Gambling with additional “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” brochures, as well as supplies of pencils for distribution to students who attend the Council's high school lecture series. The pencils are imprinted with the message “ LOTTERY IS NOT CHILD'S PLAY, You Must Be 18 Or Older To Play. The NJ Lottery, ” and they help in the effort to combat underage gambling by publicizing that reminder.

The Lottery has had representative on the Council of Compulsive Gambling's board of directors since June 1999. The Council's problem gambling helpline number (1-800-GAMBLER®) is printed on every Lottery ticket, brochure and sign, and appears as a tag line on the Lottery's radio and television advertisements. Finally, the Lottery's website directs visitors to the Council's site ( www.800gambler.org ), which provides the public with free information and help for compulsive gambling problems.

 

About the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc.

Since 1983, the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc. has helped problem and compulsive gamblers and their families. The group was a pioneer in the compulsive gambling field and remains one of the leaders in providing professional and compassionate services to a wide range of audiences. The Council's mission is to provide prevention, education and referral services to anyone affected by this illness. They operate the most widely recognized gambling help number in the nation, the 1-800-GAMBLER® Helpline. The help number is now available in 20 states and offers 24-hour, immediate, confidential assistance to anyone affected by gambling problems.

 

About the New Jersey Lottery

Since its inception in 1970, the New Jersey State Lottery has contributed more $19 billion to State education and institutions. The New Jersey Lottery saved taxpayers over $924 million in fiscal year 2010 by returning game proceeds to important educational programs and state-run facilities. On average, 6,000 businesses throughout the Garden State prosper from their partnership with the New Jersey Lottery. Among the Lottery's beneficiaries are: veterans homes, community and other colleges and universities, school nutrition programs, homes for the developmentally disabled, psychiatric hospitals, higher education scholarship programs, and the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf.