N.J. senator: We led the nation on gambling. Now we should lead on gambling addiction.
New Jersey State Senator John F. McKeon argues the state must treat problem gambling as a public health issue.Summary
New Jersey State Senator John F. McKeon writes that after nearly 50 years as a national leader in gambling—from Atlantic City casinos to online gaming and sports betting—New Jersey should now lead on gambling addiction. He notes that gambling is now available on phones around the clock, and that sports betting, online casinos, prediction markets, AI, social media and new payment technologies make betting easier and faster, particularly blurring the lines between gambling, gaming and investing for young people. Citing a 2023 Rutgers University study, he writes that 5.6% of New Jersey residents were considered high-risk problem gamblers, about three times the national average, and that nearly 28% of high-risk problem gamblers surveyed reported suicidal thoughts while 20% reported suicide attempts. McKeon calls for treating problem gambling as a public health issue rather than solely a concern for casinos or regulators, and outlines three commitments: prevention and education (including financial literacy so people understand a bet is not an investment), a healthier marketplace (bringing together industry, regulators, technology companies, educators and public health experts so safeguards keep pace with innovation), and better access to care (assessing treatment capacity, identifying gaps and preparing the behavioral health system). He argues these efforts also have an economic rationale, since New Jersey's future depends on the financial stability, behavioral health and potential of the next generation, and he invites public health and behavioral health leaders, educators, health care and insurance partners, policymakers and the gambling industry to help build a modern public health response.
(Source：NJ.com)