Following the legalization of online casinos and sports wagering, the internet gaming (iGaming) sector has become a key contributor to New Jersey’s economy, setting a record-breaking $2.39 billion in revenue throughout 2024. However, despite iGaming’s benefits for employment, tourism, and economic growth, it can also contribute to problem gambling, which harms gamblers’ health, finances, employment, and personal relationships.
In response, the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement has launched a public awareness campaign to prevent problem gambling and provide responsible gaming resources. Announced in March 2024 during Problem Gambling Awareness Month, the year-long campaign involves online advertisements that remind citizens to bet responsibly, especially during major sporting events like the NBA playoffs and the MLB postseason.
To support the campaign, the state attorney general and DGE have also implemented an initiative that allows gamblers to exclude themselves from gambling activities in Atlantic City casinos. The DGE website’s self-exclusion option is available 24/7 and enables individuals struggling with problem gambling to take control of their behaviors and manage their recovery without having to physically visit a location or schedule a video conference.
However, since the self-exclusion portal is geared toward problem gambling at brick-and-mortar casinos, efforts specifically promoting responsible gaming on online gaming platforms are still needed. It is in this context that online poker, sports betting, and other iGaming platforms demonstrate the potential to motivate behavior change and help combat problem gambling at a broader scale, as outlined below.
While iGaming segments like online poker provide convenience and accessibility through a wide range of virtual offerings and payment options, their 24/7 availability can also make it easier for players to fall into repetitive gambling behavior. As a leading platform for American online poker, ACR Poker has taken steps to maintain a safe and secure experience for players of all skill levels, starting with incorporating Responsible Gaming settings into its software.
Whether players wager in low to mid-stakes cash games or high-roller tournaments like Big Poker Thursdays, which has a weekly $400,000 prize pool, they can utilize Game Restrictions, which enable them to limit their tournament buy-ins and set stop losses. Similar to New Jersey’s self-exclusion option, ACR Poker’s program also includes the option to temporarily or permanently disable a user account to control gaming habits.
Sports betting platforms also account for a significant portion of the state’s iGaming sector, with New Jersey bettors reportedly dropping nearly $13 billion in wagers in the previous year. Thus, when sports betting platform DraftKings introduced the peer-to-peer poker game Electric Poker into New Jersey’s online casino market, it also highlighted responsible gaming information to its player base.
In addition to teaching users to utilize game settings like sportsbook and casino limits, DraftKings makes game-related data available to sports bettors and casino players through My Stat Sheet. The tool allows players to review personalized insights into their gaming behavior, such as time spent on the iGaming platform, the net total of money spent and won on DraftKings products, and deposits and withdrawals. This way, players can monitor their responsible gaming limit progress and adjust their behaviors accordingly.
Lastly, online poker, sports betting, slots, and other iGaming segments can support New Jersey’s responsible gaming campaign by increasing tax revenues. Previously, it was reported that Atlantic City’s tax collection rates have increased from 94.9% in 2019 to 98.% in 2024, with revenues also increasing due to the city’s fiscally responsible approach.
Considering New Jersey’s iGaming sector gets taxed by 15%, cities like Atlantic City can continue boosting their revenues without putting the burden of tax collection on individual taxpayers. A larger portion of annual tax revenues can then be allocated to statewide and citywide efforts to promote responsible gaming through DGE, from launching online campaigns to expanding the scope and resources of the self-exclusion initiative.
Overall, New Jersey's government and key players in the gaming industry can coordinate efforts to maximize iGaming's economic benefits while still protecting players from problem gambling. Continue reading BreakingAC.com for more trusted Atlantic City news.
