The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) will host its 43rd Annual Conference on Disordered Gambling on September 19. The event, themed “The Hidden Epidemic: A Public Health Concern,” will be held at the New Jersey Hospital Association in Princeton. Dr. Harry Levant, known for his work in gambling reform advocacy, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
The conference aims to highlight how gambling disorder has become a growing public health issue in New Jersey. Since sports betting was legalized in the state in 2018, calls to CCGNJ’s 800-GAMBLER Helpline have increased by nearly 300%. Most callers are young adults under age 34, including individuals younger than the legal betting age of 21. Recent studies show that problem gambling rates in New Jersey are about three times higher than the national average.
CCGNJ Executive Director Luis Del Orbe stated, “This year’s conference will shed light on a very troubling truth: gambling disorders, long considered a hidden affliction, now loom as a widespread public health concern. Attendees at our conference will include health professionals, educators, policymakers, advocates, families, and community members all determined to confront this crisis head-on.”
Experts at the conference will discuss new research and prevention strategies intended to address issues arising from online betting and the normalization of gambling culture. The event is open to health professionals and community members interested in solutions for protecting youth and vulnerable populations. Continuing education units (CEUs) are available for participants. Registration details and information about scholarships can be found on the CCGNJ website.
