The license-holder of the national problem gambling support hotline 1-800-GAMBLER says it will reject the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) attempts to move the ongoing dispute to arbitration.
The NCPG told SBC Americas and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) on Aug. 13 that it has filed a request with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) amid an ongoing dispute between the two organizations.
On Aug. 14, the CCGNJ told SBC Americas it will reject the request, calling it invalid and vowing to continue running the resource across the U.S. without the NCPG’s involvement.
Two councils, one hotline
Per the CCGNJ, the New Jersey organization has operated 1-800-GAMBLER nationally since 1983. In the last few years, the NCPG has been running it via a license agreement with the CCGNJ for an annual fee of $150,000. However, since a three-year agreement expired in May of this year, the future of the national resource has been thrown into doubt.
The NCPG filed for a temporary restraining order against the CCGNJ to prevent the hotline from being shut down until the dispute is resolved by a judge in court. It was granted a TRO restraining order in July, pending a September conference of the involved parties. In that filing, NCPG stated its case that the contract mandates the two parties go to arbitration.
In court documents, the NCPG says it attempted to take up an option to extend the deal, but the CCGNJ told SBC Americas that the national council rejected the offer.
No contract, no arbitration
In a statement to SBC Americas on Aug. 14, CCGNJ Executive Director Luis Del Orbe said that since there is currently no licensing agreement in place between the two councils, the arbitration mandate does not stand.
“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,” he noted.
“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.”
In response, NCPG Director of Communications Cait Huble told SBC Americas that the CCGNJ is refusing to honor an existing contract, and that the New Jersey council’s alternative proposal would fundamentally change how the helpline is operated and prevent NCPG from upholding quality standards.
We can do it ourselves, says CCGNJ
Del Orbe, who has been with the CCGNJ for seven years and has served as its executive director since last November, stressed that the CCGNJ has worked with “passion and dedication” in the past with the aid of volunteers to operate the 24/7 national hotline from New Jersey.
“The 1-800-GAMBLER helpline number sits at the core of CCGNJ’s purpose of existence,” he added. “CCGNJ and the 1-800-GAMBLER has passed the test of time. The 1-800-GAMBLER helpline is not going to go away, ever.” He confirmed to SBC Americas that CCGNJ intends to keep running 1-800-GAMBLER as a national helpline for the foreseeable future without the NCPG’s involvement.
Both the CCGNJ and the NCPG have reiterated the vital importance of preserving 1-800-GAMBLER as a nationwide resource for gamblers needing support. Huble said that the national council remains optimistic of reaching an agreement for its continued use of 1-800-GAMBLER as the national problem gambling helpline number.
Del Orbe stressed that maintaining its integrity and avoiding the hotline being weaponized is crucial. “The CCGNJ shall not permit that this institution be used to punish or retaliate against anyone, much less the problem gambler,” he concluded.
