P1 1WHEREAS, The month of March 2015 is recognized as National
2Problem Gambling Awareness Month by the National Council on
3Problem Gambling (established in 1972) and its 37 State Affiliates,
4including the California Council on Problem Gambling (established
5in 1986); and
6WHEREAS, Problem gambling is not only an addiction, but
7also a public health issue in which some problem gamblers and
8others are affected by problem gambling behavior; and
9WHEREAS, Problem gambling is a treatable disease, and
10treatment is effective at minimizing the harm to individuals,
11families, and society as a whole. The Office of Problem Gambling
12and UCLA Gambling Studies Program currently operate the
13California Gambling Education and Treatment Services
14(CalGETS), which, since 2010, has provided treatment services
15to over 7,000 problem gamblers and others affected by a gambling
16disorder. While many individuals have received help, only a limited
17number of individuals affected by problem gambling seek treatment
18options and utilize existing problem gambling programs; and
19WHEREAS, “Gambling disorder” is classified by the American
20Psychiatric Association (APA) as an addiction with similarities to
21the causes and consequences of alcohol and drug dependence; and
22WHEREAS, Gambling disorder has been recognized as the
23“hidden disease,” since compulsive gamblers do not exhibit visible
P2 1signs in the way individuals with other addictions, such as
2substance abuse disorders, do; and
3WHEREAS, The Bureau of Gambling Control within the
4Department of Justice, the California Gambling Control
5Commission, the California State Lottery, California Friday Night
6Live Partnership, California Gaming Association, the California
7Tribal Business Alliance, Media Solutions, NICOS Chinese Health
8Coalition, National Asian Pacific American Families Against
9Substance Abuse, and the UCLA Gambling Studies Program have
10joined with the Office of Problem Gambling within the State
11Department of Public Health and the California Council on
12Problem Gambling to raise awareness and urge Californians “Don’t
13ignore the signs” of gambling disorder; now, therefore, be it
14Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate
15recognizes the month of March 2015 as National Problem
16Gambling Awareness Month, and the agencies and organizations
17described above be commended for their concerted effort to raise
18public awareness of problem gambling; and be it further
19Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate provide copies of
20this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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