PRINTER'S NO. 713
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
56
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY FONTANA, BREWSTER, GORDNER, SCHWANK, GREENLEAF,
SMITH, COSTA AND KITCHEN, APRIL 8, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT,
APRIL 8, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study
the current and future state of compulsive and problem
gambling treatment in this Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, The advent of legalized gaming under 4 Pa.C.S. Pt.
II (relating to gaming), known as the Pennsylvania Race Horse
Development and Gaming Act, has proven to generate billions in
revenue to this Commonwealth, local communities and other
important programs, such as problem gaming awareness and
treatment; and
WHEREAS, In the time since the Pennsylvania Race Horse
Development and Gaming Act was signed into law in 2004, 12
gaming facilities have opened for operation throughout this
Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming
Act provides for up to 15 gaming facilities; and
WHEREAS, These facilities offer a wide variety of slot
machines and table games that have generated more than $6
billion in gaming tax revenue; and
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WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming
Act designates how moneys from the gaming industry and the State
Gaming Fund are to be allocated to the Compulsive and Problem
Gambling Treatment Fund to address problem gambling, and assigns
the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to administer the
fund; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth does not pay for inpatient gambling
treatment; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Council on Problem
Gambling, 80,000 Pennsylvanians meet the criteria for problem
gambling; and
WHEREAS, Since 2009, problem gambling treatment admissions
have increased 64%; and
WHEREAS, More gamblers are being involuntarily banned from
casinos; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Legislative Budget and
Finance Committee to study the current condition of compulsive
and problem gambling treatment in this Commonwealth; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the committee study compulsive and problem
gambling treatment in other states in order to make
recommendations to the General Assembly on potential changes
that would allow proper funding for treatment of compulsive and
problem gambling in this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the committee analyze and compare the funding
of compulsive and problem gambling treatment to the revenue
generated by gaming in this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the committee analyze and compare the funding
of compulsive and problem gambling treatment to the revenue
generated by gaming in other states; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the committee issue a report of its findings
and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than May 1,
2016.
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