How Common is Gambling Addiction in New Jersey?

Gambling addiction includes compulsive behavior where individuals continue to gamble despite harmful consequences. This addiction can involve various forms of gambling, such as sports betting, online casinos, and lottery participation. The easy accessibility of gambling platforms and the desire for quick rewards often contribute to the development of this disorder.

How common is gambling addiction in New Jersey? Gambling addiction is a significant issue in New Jersey, affecting a notable portion of the population. New Jersey was ranked as the 10th most gambling-addicted state in the U.S., according to a report by CBS News Philadelphia. 

Plenty of resources are available to help individuals struggling with gambling addiction in New Jersey. Support groups like Gamblers Anonymous, hotlines, and treatment centers offer counseling and intervention. The state also provides self-exclusion programs to prevent individuals from accessing gambling websites and facilities.

Variation by demographics shows that young adults and middle-aged males are more likely to develop gambling problems. However, the elderly and women are increasingly affected as online gambling becomes more widespread across different age groups.

What are the Latest Statistics on Gambling in New Jersey?

Around 5.6% of New Jersey’s population is involved in high-risk problem gambling, 19% participate in sports gambling, 36% participate in online gambling only, and around 61% of the population has participated in gambling activity in recent years, according to research by Matthew J. Platkin published in a report by Rutgers University. 

The same research suggests that New Jersey’s problem gambling rate is around three times larger than the national average in the US, and gamblers participate in an average of 3.5 gambling activities per week. 

What are the Most Common Forms of Gambling in New Jersey?

The most common forms of gambling in New Jersey include lottery tickets, instant scratch-off tickets, sports wagering, video poker/slot machines, and online gambling.

These forms of gambling are described below. 

1- Lottery Tickets

Lottery tickets are a type of gambling where individuals buy lottery tickets to participate and a random draw is conducted to determine the winner. The participant with a ticket number that matches the drawn number wins a huge prize, usually money. Around 73% of New Jersey’s population has participated in lotteries, according to The Prevalence of Online and Land-Based Gambling in New Jersey, a report by Rutger’s University. 

2- Instant Scratch-Off Tickets

Instant scratch-off tickets are like lottery tickets, but instead of checking numbers, participants scratch off a coating to reveal if they have won a specific prize. According to a report by Rutgers University, around 59% of New Jersey’s population has experience purchasing scratch-off tickets. 

3- Sports Wagering

Sports wagering refers to placing bets on sporting events to win prizes on a specific outcome like which team wins or how many points are scored. Sports wagering involves both luck and a good knowledge of the sport. According to The Prevalence of Online and Land-Based Gambling in New Jersey report by Rutger’s University, around 19% of New Jersey’s population participates in sports betting. 

4- Video Poker/Slot Machines

Video poker and slot machines are electronic gambling devices where players attempt to win by getting specific combinations of symbols or patterns of cards. Around 25% of the population in New Jersey participates in video poker and slot machine games, according to the same study by Rutger’s University. 

5- Online Gambling

Online gambling refers to placing bets or participating in gambling games remotely through the internet using online casinos and online gambling software. Around 36% of residents of New Jersey are involved in online gambling, according to research by Rutger’s University. 

What Resources are Available for Help?

There are several resources available for the residents of New Jersey that can help them overcome their gambling addiction. The Gamblers Anonymous New Jersey company provides a supportive community for those seeking help as they offer meetings and a 12–step program for addiction recovery. 

Another common resource is the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey which offers a 24/7 helpline along with counseling services and treatment programs. Self-exclusion tools and schemes are also widely available for the public that can limit your gambling time and deposit amounts, or fully stop you from gambling. 

How Does Gambling Addiction in NJ Vary by Demographics?

By demographics, the Prevalence of Online and Land-Based Gambling in New Jersey report by Rutger’s University shows that nearly 66.3% of men and 56.4% of women in New Jersey are involved in gambling activities, with the age group of 45-54 showing the most involvement, at 33.6% in the past year.

Additionally, the same study shows that people with full-time employment gamble the most (66.3%) as they have the resources and money to do so. It also identifies that people with lower socioeconomic backgrounds and low income also suffer from gambling addiction due to financial issues and depression to try and win some money. 8.1% of gamblers in New Jersey have a yearly income of less than $15,000.

What Regions in NJ are the Most Affected?

In New Jersey, urban areas particularly have higher rates of problem gambling as people there have easy access to casinos and gambling facilities. For example, Atlantic City is known for its concentration of casinos and is an area where gambling addiction rates are noticeably high (64.3%), according to the The Prevalence of Online and Land-Based Gambling in New Jersey report by Rutger’s University. 

Moreover, the southern areas of New Jersey like The Southern Shore are densely populated which is why gambling addiction is common there. Almost 66.2% of residents in these areas have gambling habits or experiences.