New Jersey council rejects arbitration in dispute over 1-800-GAMBLER hotline

The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) said it will not accept an arbitration request from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) in their dispute over control of the national problem gambling hotline 1-800-GAMBLER.

The New Jersey council, which has operated the helpline since 1983, said on Aug. 14 that the license agreement allowing NCPG to manage the service expired in May and was not renewed. NCPG had been paying an annual fee of $150,000 under the deal.

CCGNJ’s executive director, Luis Del Orbe, told SBC Americas: “Since that agreement expired, a new license agreement was offered to NCPG by CCGNJ. NCPG declined the offer extended to them by CCGNJ and, as such, NCPG was informed that they are no longer permitted to operate and manage the brand.”
 
NCPG had filed for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association (AAA), arguing the contract mandated such a step. The group also secured a temporary restraining order in July to keep the hotline operating until a September court conference.

Del Orbe said arbitration is not valid without a contract in place. “The demand for arbitration filed by NCPG with the American Arbitration Association is not a valid request. The manner in which arbitration may be requested is specified in the language of the expired license agreement. Therefore, CCGNJ shall not accept this request," he stated.

NCPG rejected CCGNJ’s stance. “The CCGNJ is refusing to honor an existing contract,” said Cait Huble, NCPG’s director of communications, adding that the council’s alternative proposal “would fundamentally change how the helpline is operated and prevent NCPG from upholding quality standards.”

Despite the dispute, both sides stressed the importance of maintaining the service. “The 1-800-GAMBLER helpline number sits at the core of CCGNJ’s purpose of existence,” Del Orbe said. “The 1-800-GAMBLER helpline is not going to go away, ever.”

Huble said NCPG remains optimistic about reaching an agreement to continue using 1-800-GAMBLER as the national helpline number.