A gambling prevalence survey in New Jersey has found that the overall rate of high-risk problem gaming has decreased from 6.3 per cent to 5.6 per cent.
The Prevalence of Online and Land-Based Gambling in New Jersey survey, funded by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, was a follow up to a similar report conducted in 2017.
It also found that low to moderate risk gambling also fell from about 15 per cent to 13 per cent in the time between the surveys.
Nevertheless, New Jersey’s rate of problem gambling is about three times the national US average, a similar rate found in 2017, the latest survey added.
“As New Jersey’s gaming industry continues to grow, we have an obligation to help those suffering from problem gaming and gambling addiction issues,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin.
“Through the release of this report, we are taking a comprehensive look at the pervasiveness of gambling across the state, and with it, able to better identify challenges for our most vulnerable populations and design programs and initiatives to assist them.”
The latest survey revealed that participation in sports betting increased from about 15 per cent to just over 19 per cent.
The proportion of online-only gamblers almost tripled to nearly 15 per cent, while those who gambled online and in retail locations nearly doubled from 19 per cent to 36 per cent.
However, those only gambling in brick-and-mortar locations fell sharply from nearly 76 per cent to 49 per cent.
Those who identified as “gamblers” participated in an average of 3.5 activities, up from the 3.0 average in the 2017 report.
The report was led by a team of researchers spearheaded by Dr. Lia Nower from the Rutgers University School of Social Work, Center for Gambling Studies.
A total of 3,512 New Jersey residents aged 18 and over were asked, between December 9, 2020, and April 30, 2021, via telephone and through online questionnaires, about their gaming activities.
"We are dedicated to helping players play responsibly,” said David Rebuck, director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.
“For some people, this means setting limits to keep the experience enjoyable and social. For others who are struggling with problem gambling, it may mean signing up for self-exclusion or seeking out additional resources. We encourage both players and operators to maintain a balanced perspective on gambling.”
