1Designating the month of March 2014 as "Problem Gambling
2Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and observing the month of
3March 2014 as "National Problem Gambling Awareness Month."

4WHEREAS, Individuals across the country and in this
5Commonwealth enjoy the recreational aspects of legalized
6gambling; and

7WHEREAS, For some individuals and families, gambling becomes
8an issue affecting and disrupting the lives of these individuals
9and their families; and

10WHEREAS, The National Council of Problem Gambling (NCPG)
11reports that 2% to 3% of the United States population, which
12equates to between six to nine million Americans, will have a
13gambling problem in any given year; and

14WHEREAS, Problem gambling is a public health issue affecting
15individuals of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds in all
16communities and having a significant societal and economic cost;
17and

1WHEREAS, Problem gambling is treatable, and treatment is
2effective in minimizing the harm to individuals, families and
3society as a whole; and

4WHEREAS, Only a limited number of individuals affected by
5problem gambling seek treatment options and utilize existing
6problem-gambling programs; and

7WHEREAS, Numerous individuals, professionals and
8organizations have dedicated their efforts to public awareness
9of problem gambling and the availability and effectiveness of
10treatment; and

11WHEREAS, The NCPG is coordinating the first Annual National
12Problem Gambling Awareness Month campaign during March 2014,
13which represents an expansion of its previous week-long campaign
14to a month-long campaign to educate the public about the impact
15of problem gambling and the availability of treatment options;
16therefore be it

17RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of March 2014
18as "Problem Gambling Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and
19observe the month of March 2014 as "National Problem Gambling
20Awareness Month"; and be it further

21RESOLVED, That the Senate urge the Pennsylvania Gaming
22Control Board to continue its outreach efforts and to work with
23the Pennsylvania gaming industry to develop and implement
24problem-gambling programs and further promote community-based
25programs in this Commonwealth; and be it further

26RESOLVED, That the Senate urge the Department of Health in
27conjunction with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs,
28the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and individuals,
29professionals and organizations dedicated to public awareness
30and treatment of problem gambling to jointly create, develop and

1promote public awareness campaigns regarding the recognition and
2prevention of problem gambling; and be it further

3RESOLVED, That the Senate urge all the citizens of this
4Commonwealth to learn more about problem gambling and the
5programs available to help individuals and their families who
6have been adversely affected by this issue.