TRENTON — The New Jersey Lottery has launched its annual “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” awareness campaign, aimed at reminding residents and retailers of the state’s prohibition on lottery sales to minors. In collaboration with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ), the campaign focuses on preventing underage gambling and promoting responsible gaming.
“Responsible gaming and discouraging underage gambling is at the forefront of every decision we make at the New Jersey Lottery,” said Executive Director James Carey in a statement on Monday. The initiative, which runs throughout September, emphasizes that individuals must be 18 years or older to purchase lottery tickets in the state.
This year’s campaign features new community-focused public service announcements, which will be shown at minor league baseball games across New Jersey, including events hosted by the Somerset Patriots, Jersey Shore BlueClaws, and Trenton Thunder. Additional digital reminders will also appear during the Lottery’s daily broadcasts.
As part of the campaign, the New Jersey Lottery has released an updated version of its “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” brochure, offering guidance on how to recognize signs of potential gambling problems in young people. The brochures are available at all Lottery retailer locations and on the NJLottery.com website.
Felicia Grondin, Executive Director of the CCGNJ, emphasized the importance of the partnership. “The Lottery continues to be a great partner in promoting the importance of responsible gambling and in publicizing the Council’s helpline number,” she said. Grondin encouraged parents to contact 1-800-GAMBLER if they suspect their child may have a gambling problem.