Whether you're on your phone, watching TV, in your car, on the train, you name it, you've likely seen ads for online sports betting apps and casino games.

New Jersey has always been on the forefront of the gaming industry as the rest of the country now legalizes betting.

But as gambling has gone digital and more people lay down bets, problem gambling and addiction has seen a drastic rise in our state.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan explains how a new task force created by Governor Murphy will try to address gambling, addiction and recovery.

All the bells and ringing of the machines were exciting and, you know, it was almost kind of sexy to me.

And I went in thinking it was just fun.

Call him George.

He wants his identity hidden because he's an addict.

Now in recovery, after 40 years of compulsive gambling that cost him his marriage and so much more.

I lost time and heartache.

And I was so alone.

So, so terribly alone.

George gambled at Atlantic City casinos and placed sports bets with a bookie.

He fortunately quit before smartphones put wagers just a finger swipe away, especially in sports betting.

Gaming addictions hit epidemic proportions, putting more than a half million New Jersey residents at high risk of problem gaming.

A Rutgers study showed.

George attends Gamblers Anonymous.

He says officials need to address this as a health issue.

I don't want to be dramatic about this, but I have to be dramatic.

I know two people on the program that took their lives.

They just couldn't deal with it.

They hated themselves or they couldn't handle the debt and they just cash to.

And we've seen a 277% increase in our helpline calls since sports betting was legalized in 2018.

So if that statistic doesn't raise a red flag, I don't know what would advocate.

Felicia GRONDIN, welcome.

Governor Murphy's new Executive Order 360, which created a task force to study the impact of gaming and gambling offerings on under-age individuals and vulnerable populations and review the obligations and requirements related to responsible gaming and problem gambling.

While Senator John McKeon appreciates the governor's gesture.

I'm happy that he did that.

But that doesn't mean that we're all going to put our hands up and do nothing for a couple of years while we wait to see what they say.

He notes the task reports not due until March 2025 and a lame duck governor has got limited leverage.

McKeon sponsored a raft of bills that would remove casino legal liability exemptions, make the industry better.

Police its banned gamblers list, and stop luring kids with gambling games that award points instead of money.

Now what does that do?

It's like candy Cigarets, right?

It introduces the young people into that thought process and then either they get a burner phone or grab their parents phone or they're ready to rock and roll when they turn 21.

We received a phone call from a woman whose son, 19 year old son, has been betting online on sports, got access to an online account using her identity and has gambled tens of thousand dollars away.

New Jersey's Casino Association welcomes the task force and pledges.

We ensure that our advertising and marketing efforts align with our commitment to responsible gambling.

George knows people don't like to talk about addiction.

But it's it's very sobering when you are mature enough to finally stare the beast in the eye and say, I don't want to be a slave anymore.

I want to be free.

I want to be happy.

Advocates say the constant barrage of online and casino gaming at the venues themselves does need to add warning labels.

I'm Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News.