WHEREAS, The month of March 2017 is recognized as National Problem Gambling Awareness Month by the National Council on Problem Gambling, which was established in 1972, and its 32 state affiliates, including the California Council on Problem Gambling, which was established in 1986; and

WHEREAS, Gambling disorder is not only an addiction, but also a public health issue in which some problem gamblers experience both physical and mental health issues. During the 201415 fiscal year, hypertension and diabetes were the most common cooccuring physical health problem among gamblers served in the California state-funded gambling treatment program, while mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, were the most commonly reported cooccuring mental health issues; and

WHEREAS, Gambling disorder is a treatable disease, and treatment is effective in minimizing the harm to individuals, families, and society as a whole. The Office of Problem Gambling and the UCLA Gambling Studies Program currently operates the California Gambling Education and Treatment Services (CalGETS), which, since 2010, has provided treatment services to over 11,000 problem gamblers and others affected by a gambling disorder. CalGETS offers a wide array of services ranging from self-help workbooks, telephone counseling, and outpatient and residential care; and

WHEREAS, Gambling disorder is classified by the American Psychiatric Association as an addiction with similarities to the causes and consequences of alcohol and drug dependence, and is also recognized as the hidden disease, as disordered gamblers do not exhibit visible signs of the addiction; and

WHEREAS, The Office of Problem Gamblings public awareness campaign, Dont Ignore the Signs, indicates that some of the signs of gambling disorder may be depression, anxiety, relationship issues, shame, guilt, lies, loneliness, and debt; and

WHEREAS, The Bureau of Gambling Control within the Department of Justice, the California Gambling Control Commission, the California State Lottery, California Friday Night Live Partnership, California Gaming Association, Media Solutions, NICOS Chinese Health Coalition, National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse, and the UCLA Gambling Studies Program have joined the Office of Problem Gambling within the State Department of Public Health and the California Council on Problem Gambling to raise awareness and urge Californians: Dont Ignore the Signs of gambling disorder; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate recognizes the month of March 2017 as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in California and commends the agencies and organizations described above for their concerted effort to raise public awareness of problem gambling; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for distribution.

WHEREAS, The month of March 2017 is recognized as National Problem Gambling Awareness Month by the National Council on Problem Gambling, which was established in 1972, and its 32 state affiliates, including the California Council on Problem Gambling, which was established in 1986; and

WHEREAS, Gambling disorder is not only an addiction, but also a public health issue in which some problem gamblers experience both physical and mental health issues. During the 201415 fiscal year, hypertension and diabetes were the most common cooccuring physical health problem among gamblers served in the California state-funded gambling treatment program, while mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, were the most commonly reported cooccuring mental health issues; and

WHEREAS, Gambling disorder is a treatable disease, and treatment is effective in minimizing the harm to individuals, families, and society as a whole. The Office of Problem Gambling and the UCLA Gambling Studies Program currently operates the California Gambling Education and Treatment Services (CalGETS), which, since 2010, has provided treatment services to over 11,000 problem gamblers and others affected by a gambling disorder. CalGETS offers a wide array of services ranging from self-help workbooks, telephone counseling, and outpatient and residential care; and

WHEREAS, Gambling disorder is classified by the American Psychiatric Association as an addiction with similarities to the causes and consequences of alcohol and drug dependence, and is also recognized as the hidden disease, as disordered gamblers do not exhibit visible signs of the addiction; and

WHEREAS, The Office of Problem Gamblings public awareness campaign, Dont Ignore the Signs, indicates that some of the signs of gambling disorder may be depression, anxiety, relationship issues, shame, guilt, lies, loneliness, and debt; and

WHEREAS, The Bureau of Gambling Control within the Department of Justice, the California Gambling Control Commission, the California State Lottery, California Friday Night Live Partnership, California Gaming Association, Media Solutions, NICOS Chinese Health Coalition, National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse, and the UCLA Gambling Studies Program have joined the Office of Problem Gambling within the State Department of Public Health and the California Council on Problem Gambling to raise awareness and urge Californians: Dont Ignore the Signs of gambling disorder; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate recognizes the month of March 2017 as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in California and commends the agencies and organizations described above for their concerted effort to raise public awareness of problem gambling; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for distribution.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SR 20

Author: Glazer (D), Berryhill (R), Bradford (D), Cannella (R), Dodd (D), Gaines (R), Galgiani (D), Hill (D), Hueso (D), Lara (D), Mendoza (D), Portantino (D), and Vidak (R)

Introduced: 2/22/17

Vote: Majority

SUBJECT: Problem Gambling Awareness Month

SOURCE: California Council on Problem Gambling

DIGEST:

This resolution recognizes the month of March 2017 as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in California.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. March 2017 is recognized as National Problem Gambling Awareness Month by the National Council on Problem Gambling and its 32 state affiliates, including the California Council on Problem Gambling, which was established in 1986.
2. “Gambling disorder” is not only an addiction, but also a public health issue in which some problem gamblers experience both physical and mental health issues. It is a treatable disease, and treatment is effective in minimizing the harm to individuals, families, and society as a whole.
3. “Gambling disorder” is classified by the American Psychiatric Association as an addiction with similarities to the causes and consequences of alcohol and drug dependence, and is also recognized as the “hidden disease,” as disordered gamblers do not exhibit visible signs of the addiction.
4. The Office of Problem Gambling’s public awareness campaign, “Don’t Ignore the Signs,” indicates that some of the signs of gambling disorder may be depression, anxiety, relationship issues, shame, guilt, lies, loneliness, and debt.
5. The Bureau of Gambling Control, the California Gambling Control Commission, the California State Lottery, California Friday Night Live Partnership, California Gaming Association, Media Solutions, NICOS Chinese Health Coalition, National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse, and the UCLA Gambling Studies Program have joined the Office of Problem Gambling and the California Council on Problem Gambling to raise awareness and urge Californians: “Don’t Ignore the Signs” of gambling disorder.

This resolution recognizes the month of March 2017 as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in California and commends the agencies and organizations described above for their concerted effort to raise public awareness of problem gambling.

Related/Prior Legislation

SR 68 (Berryhill, 2016) recognized the month of March 2016 as National Problem Gambling Awareness Month. The resolution was adopted by the Senate (32-0) on March 17, 2016.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 3/2/17)

California Council on Problem Gambling (source)

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO

California Center for Youth Development and Health Promotion

National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse, Inc.

UCLA Gambling Studies Program

OPPOSITION: (Verified 3/2/17)

None received

Prepared by: Melissa Ward / SFA / (916) 651-1520

3/2/17 9:20:24

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