Amended in Senate April 27, 2015

Senate Resolution No. 20

Introduced by Senators Berryhill, begin insert Bates, end insert Block, Cannella, Gaines, Hall, Hill, McGuire, and Vidak

March 25, 2015

Senate Resolution No. 20—Relative to begin insert National end insert Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

WHEREAS, The month of March 2015 is recognized as National
Problem Gambling Awareness Month by the National Council on
Problem Gambling (established in 1972) and its 37 State Affiliates,
including the California Council on Problem Gambling (established
in 1986); and

WHEREAS, Problem gambling is not only an addiction, but
also a public health issue in which some problem gamblers and
others are affected by problem gambling behavior; and

WHEREAS, Problem gambling is a treatable disease, and
treatment is effective at minimizing the harm to individuals,
families, and society as a whole. The Office of Problem Gambling
and begin insert the end insert UCLA Gambling Studies Program currently operate the
California Gambling Education and Treatment Services
(CalGETS), which, since 2010, has provided treatment services
to over 7,000 problem gamblers and others affected by a gambling
disorder. While many individuals have received help, only a limited
number of individuals affected by problem gambling seek treatment
options and utilize existing problem gambling programs; and

WHEREAS, “Gambling disorder” is classified by the American
Psychiatric Association (APA) as an addiction with similarities to
the causes and consequences of alcohol and drug dependence; and

WHEREAS, Gambling disorder has been recognized as the
“hidden disease,” since compulsive gamblers do not exhibit visible
signs in the way individuals with other addictions, such as
substance abuse disorders, do; 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, the California
Tribal Business Alliance, Media Solutions, NICOS Chinese Health
Coalition, National Asian Pacific American Families Against
Substance Abuse, and the UCLA Gambling Studies Program have
joined with 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 “Don’t
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 2015 as National Problem
Gambling Awareness Month, and the agencies and organizations
described above be commended for their concerted effort to raise
public awareness of problem gambling; and be it further

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