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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=20383
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House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: June 10, 2016 10:29 AM
From: Representative John D. Payne
To: All House members
Subject: Update Lottery Compulsive and Problem Gambling Protections
 
In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to require the State Lottery to implement reasonable compulsive and problem gambling protections, similar to the protections we currently require of our casinos.

Specifically, my legislation will amend the State Lottery Law by requiring the following:
  • $1 million will be annually transferred from the State Lottery Fund to the Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund.
  • The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, in consultation with the Secretary of Revenue, shall develop program guidelines for public education, awareness, training and treatment related to compulsive play of the lottery.
  • Require the number 1-800-GAMBLER to be conspicuously displayed:
    • on the front of lottery tickets;
    • on signage where lottery tickets are sold;
    • on lottery terminals;
    • on merchandising and promotional items;
    • on advertisements;
    • on the lottery’s website and social media outlet; and
    • during televised drawings of lottery numbers.

It is important that we recognize that gambling is gambling, whether that be play of slot machine in a casino or purchasing a scratch-off ticket. The severity of an individual’s addiction to play of the lottery can be just as severe as another’s addiction to casino games. In fact, according to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of PA’s April Helpline Data Report, 54% of the total calls to the Commonwealth’s problem gambling numbers this year have been related to compulsive play of the lottery.

I hope you join me in cosponsoring this needed legislation that will ensure that consumers are protected, whether they enter a casino or go to their local gas station to purchase a lottery ticket.




Introduced as HB2194