A study has revealed that while high-risk problem gambling in the state of New Jersey has declined, it still remains three times the national level.
The study, which was carried out by Rutgers University and paid for by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) is a follow-up study to a similar report issued in 2017 and includes both the online and land-based gambling industries.
This is the first report of its kind released after the official launch of sports betting in New Jersey.
The study surveyed 3,512 New Jersey residents aged 18 and over from December 9th, 2020 and April 30th, 2021. For the study the following activities were listed as forms of gambling:
- lottery
- instant scratch-off tickets
- high-risk stocks
- gaming machines
- games of skill
- live casino table games
- sports wagering
- season fantasy sports
- bingo
- cryptocurrency trading
- poker
- daily fantasy sports
- horse race track or off track
- esports wagering
- keno
Key Findings
- Overall rate of high-risk problem gambling decreased from 6.3% to 5.6%.
- Low/moderate-risk gambling decreased from 15% to 13%.
- Rate of problem gambling three times the national average — similar to the findings from the 2017.
- Sports wagering participation increased from 15% to just over 19%.
- Online-only gamblers grew from 5% in 2017 to nearly 15% of all gamblers in the state.
- People gambling only at brick-and-mortar casinos dropped from nearly 76% to 49%.
- Those who gamble at both land-based venues and online nearly doubled from 19% to 36%.
- 61% of residents participated in one or more of the 15 gambling activities listed in the prior year.
- Local gamblers participated in an average of 3.5 gambling activities, up from 3 in 2017.
Speaking of the report New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said:
“As New Jersey’s gaming industry continues to grow, we have an obligation to help those suffering from problem gaming and gambling addiction issues. 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.”
David Rebuck, Director of the NJDGE added:
“We are dedicated to helping players play responsibly. 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.”
According to the latest USA gambling stats and trends, between 1 and 2% of the adult population (2-4 million) in the United States will develop a gambling disorder at some point in their lives.
An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.