"Televised Texas Hold ‘em’ poker tournaments have fuelled a national craze, causing some impressionable young people to become problem gamblers. Cable television channels that heavily promote the Texas Hold ‘em’ rage should be held responsible for some of the unglamorous side effects of their programming, like juvenile gambling addictions" Ms. Voss said.

Ms. Voss noted that cable networks producing shows like the "World Series of Poker" and "Celebrity Poker" should contribute to problem gambling programs because of an increase in juvenile gambling and a huge surge in poker playing by both adults and teens..

Ms. Voss has introduced legislation that would force cable providers in New Jersey to pay a surcharge if they offer subscribers poker tournament programming. Funds from the surcharge, she said, would be earmarked for prevention, education and treatment programs for compulsive and underage gamblers.

Ms. Voss said she will fine-tune the legislation to ensure that the surcharges get passed onto the cable programmers who syndicate the Texas Hold ‘em’ poker shows and not to cable customers before it becomes law.