July 1, 2011
Office of The Attorney General
– Paula T. Dow, Attorney General
Division of Gaming Enforcement
– David Rebuck, Acting Director
Media Inquiries-
Lisa Spengler
609-317-6201
info@njdge.org
Citizen Inquiries-
609-292-4925
New Jersey Casino Gambling Self-Exclusion Program
ATLANTIC CITY — A recent ruling published by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement ordered the remission to the State of $6,462 in gaming winnings confiscated from three self-excluded patrons identified by employees of the Trump Taj Mahal. Money that is forfeited to the State from patrons on the self-exclusion list is directed to the Casino Revenue Fund, which supports compulsive gambling treatment and education programs in addition to programs for the State’s senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Acting Director David Rebuck indicated that, "The Division of Gaming Enforcement continues to work with the casino industry to ensure that people who should not be gambling in Atlantic City are kept out."
New Jersey’s Self-Exclusion Program started in 2001 under the Casino Control Commission. There are currently 1,147 people in the Self-Exclusion Program. A person can sign up for a minimum of one year, five years or for a lifetime. When people sign up for self-exclusion, the casino must stop marketing to them; remove them from any mailing lists; and stop offering them complimentaries, credit or any other inducement to gamble.
On February 1, 2011, Governor Chris Christie signed into law Bill S-12 which resulted in the transfer to the Division of Gaming Enforcement of numerous functions that had been overseen by the Casino Control Commission. As part of its expanded role, the Division of Gaming Enforcement is remaining vigilant regarding the issue of problem gambling and the need to keep self-excluded patrons out of the casinos.
"The Division continues to take the responsibility for promoting and ensuring responsible gaming through the Self-Exclusion Program very seriously," said Rebuck. "We are pleased and encouraged by the actions of the employees at Trump Taj Mahal and look forward to working with all the casinos in identifying self-excluded persons. We continue to encourage anyone who has a problem controlling their betting habits to reach out for help and information on the self-exclusion program and treatment programs available throughout the State."
Gamblers and their families can call 1-800-GAMBLER 24 hours a day for confidential and free assistance or www.800gambler.org. Information on the Self-Exclusion Program and other resources can also be found at www.njdge.org or by calling 609-441-3688.
Acting Director Rebuck said, "Compulsive gambling is a serious concern for the Division, casino operators and the Council on Compulsive Gambling and we continue to support ongoing initiatives by these entities to promote responsible gambling."
###