State Regulatory Body Set to Review Gambling Practices in Atlantic City Casinos
Atlantic City's casinos are celebrating the establishment of New Jersey's inaugural Responsible Gaming Task Force, an undertaking spearheaded by Gov. Phil Murphy (D).
Murphy recently signed Executive Order No. 360, forming the Responsible Gaming Task Force (RGTF). Comprising seven members, this group will offer guidance and recommendations to Murphy's office and the state attorney general regarding reforms to promote responsible gaming participation in New Jersey's bustling gambling industry.
The Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ), which represents the interests of the nine casinos along the coast, has endorsed the formation of the Task Force.
The Atlantic City casino sector commends Governor Phil Murphy's efforts in tackling problem gambling in New Jersey by creating the Responsible Gaming Task Force. We are up for partnering with the Murphy Administration in promoting the well-being of customers and the broader community in this endeavor," a CANJ statement stated.
The RGTF will be chaired by Attorney General Matt Platkin (D). Other committee members include Casino Control Commission Chair James Plousis and Division of Gaming Enforcement Interim Director Mary Jo Flaherty.
Priority Issues
A 2023 report from Rutgers Universityโs Center for Gambling Studies suggested that gambling problems are escalating in New Jersey. The state occupies the second spot in gaming wealth after Nevada.
New Jersey houses casinos in Atlantic City, along with retail and online sports betting, iGaming, and parimutuel wagering.
Gaming revenue in New Jersey reached a record high of approximately $5.77 billion last year. State taxes in 2023 surpassed $595.5 million. The state gaming sector, as per the American Gaming Association, generates an annual economic impact of nearly $12 billion and supports nearly 52,000 jobs.
Murphy and state officials aim to preserve the gaming industry's strength, as do the casinos undoubtedly. And a key element for a strong gaming market is responsible gaming.
"New Jersey is recognized as a gaming destination with historical locations like Atlantic City, amusement gaming at the Jersey Shore, notable horse racing venues, and more," said Murphy. "This Task Force will ensure that we maintain our global leadership in gaming by offering the tools required to address problem gambling among our residents.โ
Alarming Figures
The Rutgers study indicated that around 6% of New Jersey adult residents are at high risk for problem gambling, significantly higher than the national average, estimated to be approximately 1-2%.
Black and Hispanic residents in New Jersey currently have the highest risk of gambling beyond their financial means or initial gambling plans. The study revealed that up to 15% of these ethnic groups are "high-risk problem gamblers."
Individuals with the lowest household incomes โ less than $15,000 annually โ are the most likely to be high-risk problem gamblers, the report disclosed.
The results point to the necessity of a careful examination of the impacts of continuous gambling expansion and potential regulations on high-risk activities or advertising directed at particular groups or providing misleading guarantees," the Rutgers executive summary stated.
Researchers suggested that New Jersey's numerous regulatory agencies responsible for monitoring gaming activities complicate a statewide effort to enhance responsible gaming.
"Those agencies have separate policies governing responsible gaming, such as varying terms for self-exclusion and requirements for sign-up (e.g., online versus in-person). Moving forward, establishing best practices will necessitate the creation of uniform regulations around RG initiatives and practices, including online access to self-exclusion sign-up and limit-setting features, in a manner that is least stigmatizing for individual consumers," the report concluded.