Responsible gaming is to a large extent influenced by the age of a bettor. Let us consider a high school student who gets pocket money from parents or guardians. Since most students desire to display a flashy lifestyle in school, many will not be content with the amount of money given to them for upkeep.
If the idea of gambling to get more money is floated around such a person for long enough, they will give it a try with the hope that they will have extra money to spend at school. The reasons for problem gambling among adults are varied; life frustrations, stress, peer pressure, misplaced priorities, etc. For now, let’s focus on the underage bettors because it is easier to curb a habit before it has become addictive.
The New Jersey authorities have launched a campaign that is aimed at taming the vice with a focus on players who are below the legal age of 18 years. At the head of the campaign is Jim Carey who is the Executive Director of the New Jersey Lottery. This campaign is however not new because it runs annually prior to opening of schools at the start of a new academic year.
According to the New Jersey law, it is illegal for betting operators to entertain anyone below the age of 18 in their premises. The law also criminalizes the buying and selling of lottery tickets for anyone who is under age. Since the state of New Jersey attracts a huge number of gambling visitors every year, the message of the campaign must be repeated annually to reach those who might not have heard it before.
Although this campaign is present in most jurisdictions around the world that have state approved legalized betting, people forget and that is why it is important to keep the message alive. Carey considers the campaign to be quite effective in the fight against problem gambling. With the “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” campaign, a lot of promotional material is set out to the recipients of the targeted messages.
Through the use of email and terminal messages, the state authorities consistently remind players that there is a legal and thus acceptable minimum age for gamblers. The promotion also reminds the public that the purchase and sale of lottery tickets for anyone below 18 years old is an offense.
Carey is of the opinion that the under 18 campaign will only be effective if there is a lot of promotional material created around it. When lottery ticket sellers receive messages to remind them of the age limit for those that they should sell their tickets to, they do a better job at implementing the age rule.
If you are a VIP tier member with a player account in a New Jersey based betting platform, you will also receive the age rule reminders. The campaign has also taken a digital form and is using the internet to spread the message of the “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” campaign. Launch the NJ lottery website on your browser and you will see the logo of the campaign.
Falling into problem gambling is not the end of the road for online casino players. Most casinos now have tools to identify problem gamblers based on the amount of time and money spent in a casino. There is help for individuals who are aware of their gambling weakness and players can also nominate outsiders who are facing the challenge.
The best support you can provide to a person with a gambling problem is moral support. Luckily, 1-800-GAMBLER is the direct telephone line for those who would like to reach the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. The number is boldly printed on the promotional materials and lottery tickets sold within the state.
According to Carey, he has not noticed an increase in the number of underage players over the pandemic period. This might not be the true picture of the situation since there are quite a few options for those who would like to place bets. In view of the lottery, tickets are sold at the retail level but the younger generation has access to betting platforms made available through the internet.
Carey suggests collaboration between the authorities and parents in discouraging those under the age of 18 from participating in gambling no matter the form. As a parent, you are at a better position to notice a sudden change in behavior and take measures to correct it. Some parents consider teenagers to be particularly unruly but authorities suggest being as close as possible with your child so as to notice when something is amiss.
There is no problem with taking part in lotteries, going to the casino or placing a bet on your favorite team but only if moderation is embraced. Personal responsibility is the watchdog that will prevent you from falling into extremes to do with overspending or spending lots of time on betting platforms.
The lottery of New Jersey is the third of its kind in the entire US region to receive a level 4 award for responsible gambling. The recognition was issued by the World Lottery Association’s Responsible Gambling Framework. The organizers of the NJ lottery take their time to ensure that gamblers are not exploited.
Final Thoughts
To come across an organization that takes the welfare of its clients as seriously as it takes its revenue streams is rare. This unique approach to the gambling business makes Carey proud of the state’s efforts to curb problem gambling. You do not have to engage in gambling if you are unable to draw the line between moderate and excess. The company is great so you can still stick around and enjoy crafted beer in the outdoors of the Garden State.
When it comes to sales of craft beer, the top slot was a tie between Kentucky and New Jersey; each recording a 43% industry growth from 2015 to 2019.
