1Designating the month of March 2013 as "Problem Gambling
2Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and observing the week of
3March 3 through 9, 2013, as "National Problem Gambling
4Awareness Week."

5WHEREAS, Individuals across the country and in this
6Commonwealth enjoy the recreational aspects of legalized
7gambling; and

8WHEREAS, For some individuals and families, gambling becomes
9an issue affecting and disrupting the lives of these individuals
10and their families; and

11WHEREAS, The National Council of Problem Gambling (NCPG)
12reports that 2% to 3% of the United States population, which
13equates to between six to nine million Americans, will have a
14gambling problem in any given year; and

15WHEREAS, Problem gambling is a public health issue affecting
16individuals of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds in all
17communities and having a significant societal and economic cost;
18and

19WHEREAS, Problem gambling is treatable, and treatment is

1effective in minimizing the harm to individuals, families and
2society as a whole; and

3WHEREAS, Only a limited number of individuals affected by
4problem gambling seek treatment options and utilize existing
5problem gambling programs; and

6WHEREAS, Numerous individuals, professionals and
7organizations have dedicated their efforts to public awareness
8of problem gambling and the availability and effectiveness of
9treatment; and

10WHEREAS, The NCPG is coordinating the Eleventh Annual
11National Problem Gambling Awareness Week campaign during March 3
12through 9, 2013, which seeks to educate the public about the
13impact of problem gambling and the availability of treatment
14options; therefore be it

15RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
16month of March 2013 as "Problem Gambling Awareness Month" in
17Pennsylvania and observe the week of March 3 through 9, 2013, as
18"National Problem Gambling Awareness Week"; and be it further

19RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
20Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to continue its outreach
21efforts and to work with the Pennsylvania gaming industry to
22develop and implement problem gambling programs and further
23promote community-based programs in this Commonwealth; and be it
24further

25RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
26Department of Health in conjunction with the Department of Drug
27and Alcohol Programs, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and
28individuals, professionals and organizations dedicated to public
29awareness and treatment of problem gambling to jointly create,
30develop and promote public awareness campaigns regarding the

1recognition and prevention of problem gambling; and be it
2further

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