New Jersey adopts mandatory responsible gambling rules for operators

Gambling operators in New Jersey now face legally binding responsible gambling requirements. Under the new framework, they have to spot play that could be harmful and step in once a customer shows signs of trouble. According to state officials, no other US state has adopted mandatory standards of this kind that are built on data. The framework takes the place of earlier practices that officials described as neither uniform nor legally enforceable.

The regulations call for each operator to name a responsible gaming lead. Mandatory thresholds covering gambling activity and behavioral indicators are used to flag customers who may be at risk. When a customer appears at risk, the operator has to carry out a due diligence review and, where warranted, add that person to an at-risk patron list. A three-phase process then guides interventions, tailored to the customer's assessed needs.

According to state officials, comparable responsible gambling practices were already in place, though they lacked uniform and legally binding standards. The aim of the new rules is to set consistent requirements for the whole industry and to make sure customers who show signs of problem gambling get help without delay. New Jersey also voiced concerns about reports that certain gambling companies have directed aggressive marketing or promotional tactics at customers displaying signs of gambling disorders.

The state said the RecoverMe gambling recovery app is available at no cost to New Jersey residents and to others located in the state. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques underpin the app, which offers assessment tools, self-guided therapy sessions, and habit tracking. GamFin financial counseling, launched last year, was the first free gambling-related support service from the Division of Gaming Enforcement; RecoverMe is the second.