“Not 18 Yet? No Bet” Awareness Campaign Underway

Event Video

TRENTON (Sept. 8, 2023) – Today, New Jersey Lottery (NJL) Executive Director James Carey and Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc. (CCGNJ) Executive Director Felicia Grondin joined together for a videotaping to raise awareness about the Lottery’s annual “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” awareness campaign. This campaign reminds residents and retailers that New Jersey law prohibits the sale of lottery tickets by or to anyone under the age of 18.

During this event, held at Corner Xpress, 5 Lawrenceville Pennington Road in Lawrence Township, a Lottery retailer, they each renewed their organization’s commitment to responsible play and the prevention of underage gambling of any kind.

“Our State Lottery has a longstanding commitment to promoting responsible gaming and discouraging underage Lottery play,” said Carey. “We work closely with the CCGNJ to raise awareness about the age restriction on lottery play in New Jersey and we support the Council’s on-going efforts to prevent underage gambling.”

As part of its effort, the New Jersey Lottery has developed a “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” brochure providing information about the major types of teen betting and ways to recognize signs of a possible gambling problem in young people. The brochure also provides information about where to receive advice and assistance for anyone with concerns about underage gambling problems. These brochures are available at all Lottery retailer locations, at all Lottery-sponsored exhibits and events and may be downloaded from the njlottery.com website.

“The Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ provides its community and school-based outreach programs free of charge. One of our focuses is preventing the onset of gambling addiction among adolescents and young adults, so the New Jersey Lottery's message and support are particularly important,” said Grondin. “The Lottery continues to be a great partner in promoting the importance of responsible gambling and in publicizing the Council’s helpline number. If a parent thinks their child might have a gambling problem, they can call 1-800-GAMBLER®; we offer support, treatment and hope.”

Following today’s event, the Lottery provided the CCGNJ with additional “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” brochures, and supplies of branded pencils for distribution to students who attend the Council’s school lecture series. The pencils are imprinted with the message “LOTTERY IS NOT CHILD’S PLAY, You Must Be 18 Or Older To Play The NJ Lottery.” In addition, the “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” message and the 1-800-GAMBLER® Helpline number are continually flashed on Lottery’s digital messaging screens at all retailer locations.

The Lottery has had a representative on the Council’s board of directors since June 1999. The problem gambling helpline number (1-800-GAMBLER®) is printed on every Lottery ticket, brochure and sign, and appears as a tag line on the Lottery’s radio and television advertisements. Finally, the Lottery’s website directs visitors to the Council’s site (www.800gambler.org), which provides the public with free information and help for compulsive gambling problems.

Preventing underage gambling and promoting responsible play is ingrained in the Lottery’s day-to-day operations. The New Jersey Lottery has received international recognition for its responsible gaming initiatives, obtaining Level 4 of the World Lottery Association (WLA) Responsible Gaming certification for its adherence to the WLA’s Responsible Gaming Principles and Responsible Gaming Framework, which is the highest level of achievement awarded by WLA. The World Lottery Association is one of the world’s most respected industry authorities on responsible gaming programs and initiatives. To maintain Level 4 status requires integrating Responsible Gaming Principles into the day-to-day operation, as well as continuous improvement of its member lotteries. Membership in this association is exclusive and requires adherence to a responsible gaming code of conduct.