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

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 Eleventh Annual
12National Problem Gambling Awareness Week campaign during March 3
13through 9, 2013, which seeks to educate the public about the
14impact of problem gambling and the availability of treatment
15options; therefore be it

16RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of March 2013
17as "Problem Gambling Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and
18observe the week of March 3 through 9, 2013, as "National
19Problem Gambling Awareness Week"; and be it further

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

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

1prevention of problem gambling; and be it further

2RESOLVED, That the Senate urge all the citizens of this
3Commonwealth to learn more about problem gambling and the
4programs available to help individuals and their families who
5have been adversely affected by this issue.