N.J. gamblers won’t have to admit ‘problem’ to ban themselves from wagering

Gov. Chris Christie has signed a new law that allows people to voluntarily exclude themselves from New Jersey’s gambling facilities without first acknowledging that have a gambling problem.

Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, one of the sponsors of the legislation, said some gamblers have been reluctant to get on the exclusion list because they feared the stigma of admitting to a being a problem gambler.

“If they are they can get help, but I don’t think it’s important for them to have to admit that kind of addiction,” said Caputo, D-Essex. “It could affect their professional life, their family life, and of course, their financial status.”

The law allows people to voluntarily be excluded from licensed casinos, simulcasting facilities, and Internet gaming activities for one year, five years, or a lifetime.

Once they’re on the exclusion list, casinos are required to stop marketing to them. If they do gamble, they would be prohibited from collecting any winnings.