N.J. should take action to help gambling addicts

N.J. should take action to help gambling addicts

I am a compulsive gambler and have abstained from gambling for more than 45 years. This addiction is an insidious disease, and many people are in denial about the serious harm it can cause.

I have been fighting the politicians for 15 years to reach out and help warn the people of this addiction, and nothing has been done about it with the money the state is making from gambling. From my own experience and through speaking to hundreds of people, the pain and suffering gambling can cause are: bankruptcy, embezzlement, prison, home foreclosure and suicide.

The state is putting legalized sports betting in New Jersey on the November ballot. The more the politicians push sports betting, the more people will get addicted.

The politicians don’t mention anything about the money the state will make to help people with this addiction. There are billboards on drug abuse and alcoholism, but nothing on gambling. They also have drug and alcohol treatment centers that are covered by insurance, but nothing on gambling.

Parents and grandparents should look into the serious gambling problem we have in our schools because this could be your child someday. I have known kids who have lost their tuition money because of gambling and couldn’t finish college.

Take the time to call your representatives to see what they are doing about gambling addiction in our schools and in our state.

Dominick Magliaro
Toms River