THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY EARLL, FONTANA, ERICKSON, STACK, DINNIMAN, BOSCOLA, ORIE, GORDNER, O'PAKE, RAFFERTY, TARTAGLIONE, BROWNE, ROBBINS, KASUNIC, D. WHITE, PIPPY, GREENLEAF, COSTA, TOMLINSON, FARNESE, PILEGGI, FOLMER, BRUBAKER AND WASHINGTON, MARCH 4, 2010

REFERRED TO COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MARCH 4, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of March 2010 as "Problem Gambling

Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and observing the week of

March 7 through 13, 2010, as "National Problem Gambling

Awareness Week."

WHEREAS, Individuals across the country and in this

Commonwealth enjoy the recreational aspects of legalized

gambling; and

WHEREAS, For some individuals and families, gambling becomes

an issue affecting and disrupting the lives of these individuals

and their families; and

WHEREAS, The National Council of Problem Gambling (NCPG)

reports that 2% to 3% of the United States population, which

equates to between six to nine million Americans, will have a

gambling problem in any given year; and

WHEREAS, Problem gambling should be considered a public

health issue affecting individuals of all ages, races and ethnic

backgrounds in all communities and having a significant societal

and economic cost; and

WHEREAS, Problem gambling is treatable, and treatment is

effective in minimizing the harm to both individuals and society

as a whole; and

WHEREAS, Only a limited number of individuals affected by

problem gambling seek out treatment options and utilize existing

problem gambling programs; and

WHEREAS, Numerous individuals, professionals and

organizations have dedicated their efforts to public awareness

of problem gambling and the availability and effectiveness of

treatment; and

WHEREAS, The NCPG is coordinating the Eighth Annual National

Problem Gambling Awareness Week campaign during March 7 through

13, 2010, which seeks to educate the public about the impact of

problem gambling and the availability of treatment options;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of March 2010

as "Problem Gambling Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and

observe the week of March 7 through 13, 2010, as "National

Problem Gambling Awareness Week"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Senate urge the Pennsylvania Gaming

Control Board to continue its outreach efforts and to work with

the Pennsylvania gaming industry as a whole and with slot

machine licensees to develop and implement problem gambling

programs at licensed facilities and further promote community-

based programs in this Commonwealth; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Senate urge the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol

Programs within the Department of Health, the Pennsylvania

Gaming Control Board and individuals, professionals and

organizations dedicated to public awareness and treatment of

problem gambling to jointly create, develop and promote public

awareness campaigns regarding the recognition and prevention of

problem gambling; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Senate urge all the citizens of this

Commonwealth to learn more about problem gambling and the

programs available to help individuals and their families who

have been adversely affected by this issue.