Crumpled Lotto ticket

New Jersey has a gambling problem, it appears. Nearly 70 percent of adults gambled in 2016, be it casino betting, lottery ticket or instant scratch-off purchases, or online wagering. According to a study conducted by the Center for Gambling Studies at the School of Social Work, the participation rate amounts to a collective gambling disorder, with state residents betting at a rate four times the national average. Most people gamble recreationally, says Lia Nower, the center’s director, pointing out, however, that a problem may arise with its frequency and variety. — Ken Branson