Compulsive gambling hotline launches in NJ

HAMILTON, N.J. (AP) -- A nonprofit aimed at helping people who struggle with compulsive gambling is unveiling a new way to deal with the addiction.

The Council on Compulsive Gambling announced Tuesday it is launching a program that allows people to send a text message to get help or ask questions 24 hours a day.

Gamblers or their friends can text "800GAMBLER" to 53342, and someone from the organization will reply soon after.

The nonprofit's program comes about a year after New Jersey authorized online gambling at some casinos in the state.

News of the program was first reported by NJ.com.

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