(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly Democrats Ralph Caputo, Troy Singleton, Valerie Vainieri Huttle and John Burzichelli sponsored to allow a person to require voluntary exclusion from gaming activities without acknowledging being a problem gambler was released Thursday by an Assembly panel.
Current law requires a person who wants to be put on the self-excluded gaming activity list at all New Jersey gaming facilities to acknowledge being a problem gambler.
The bill (A-2444) would allow a person to get on the list without admitting such a problem.
“Admitting on a document that you are a problem gambler is a step many New Jerseyans may not be ready to make, even if they are confronting their problem,” said Caputo (D-Essex). “Many may feel that document is a stigma that can be used against them, but with this option, they are getting some help without having to make that potentially embarrassing admission.”
“This is simply another option for those who want to exclude themselves from New Jersey’s gaming facilities, but don’t want to concede a problem on an official document they fear may come back to haunt them down the road,” said Singleton (D-Burlington). “Gambling addiction is a disease, and if this can help some people overcome their problem, it’s a step in the right direction.”
“Let’s give someone trying to fight the scourge of problem gambling every option we can to help them recover,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “If allowing them to ban themselves from facilities without admitting a problem on a document can help, than let’s give it a try.”
“We typically don’t make those recovering from substance abuse sign documents admitting their problem, so let’s not hold those fighting to recover from gambling addiction to a more difficult standard,” said Burzichelli (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “This can help many people get the help they need without embarrassing them.”
The bill was advanced by the Assembly Tourism and Gaming Committee chaired by Caputo.
