NCPG Reactivates Old RG Hotline as 1-800-GAMBLER Battle Ends
The National Council on Problem Gambling has reactivated its old hotline 1-800-522-4700 after a court ruling ended its right to use the 1-800-GAMBLER number.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:For several years, two organizations shared involvement in the promotion of the national problem gambling helpline. The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) originally launched and operated the 1-800-GAMBLER line in 1983.
In 2022, it licensed the number and brand to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) under a three-year agreement. That arrangement expired last month, prompting a legal dispute over rights to continue its use.
A New Jersey court sided with the CCGNJ, ordering the NCPG to cease using the 1-800-GAMBLER number. With the decision, NCPG reverted to its previous helpline, 1-800-522-4700, which it had used for decades prior to the licensing agreement. That number is now being reintroduced on NCPG's website, alongside resources for individuals seeking gambling-related support.
The CCGNJ continues to promote 1-800-GAMBLER through its website 800gambler.org, where the helpline number is displayed prominently. NCPG's website now directs individuals to 1-800-522-4700 and has replaced all previous mentions of the GAMBLER number. The existence of two national hotlines has created potential confusion for people seeking assistance, though both numbers remain functional.
NCPG expressed disappointment with the ruling, stating on its website that it believes the change could make it harder for individuals to access help. The organization added that it would continue operating the National Problem Gambling Helpline through the 1-800-522-4700 number until a longer-term arrangement is identified.
The council stressed that 1-800-GAMBLER should no longer be viewed as the national helpline, though it remains operated by the New Jersey-based group.
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Before the licensing deal, NCPG used 1-800-522-4700 to connect calls, texts, and online chat to a nationwide network of 28 contact centers. The group warned that under the terms of the court ruling, it was obligated to end text message services linked to the old number.
To maintain continuity, it advised individuals to use the code 800GAM for text communications and confirmed that its online chat system, which is not tied to a phone number, would remain active.
During its three years of using 1-800-GAMBLER, NCPG worked with multiple partners to promote the brand, including gaming operators, state regulators, and national organizations. In several states, regulations specifically require gambling operators to display the 1-800-GAMBLER number in responsible gambling messaging, meaning the CCGNJ hotline remains highly visible in advertising. This requirement ensures that the number continues to appear in fine print across various forms of gambling promotion.
NCPG also developed a partnership with the NFL to enhance the visibility of problem gambling resources. That agreement, renewed in August 2024, explicitly supported modernization of the national helpline branded under the 1-800-GAMBLER number.
With the legal change returning rights to the CCGNJ, questions remain over the structure of the NFL partnership and whether it will continue under the revived 1-800-522-4700 hotline.
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