BILL ANALYSIS Ó ----------------------------------------------------------------- |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SR 20| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- THIRD READING Bill No: SR 20 Author: Berryhill (R), Block (D), Cannella (R), Gaines (R), Hall (D), Hill (D), McGuire (D), and Vidak (R) Introduced:3/25/15 Vote: Majority SUBJECT: Problem Gambling Awareness Month SOURCE: California Council on Problem Gambling DIGEST: This resolution recognizes the month of March 2015 as National Problem Gambling Awareness Month. ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings: 1.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). 2.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. 3.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 UCLA SR 20 Page 2 Gambling Studies Program currently operate the California Gambling Education and Treatment Services, 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. 4.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 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. This resolution 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. Prior Legislation HR 31 (Hall, 2014) recognized the week of March 2, 2014, to March 8, 2014, inclusive, as Problem Gambling Awareness Week. The resolution was adopted by the Assembly. FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.:NoLocal: No SUPPORT: (Verified4/7/15) SR 20 Page 3 California Council on Problem Gambling (source) OPPOSITION: (Verified4/7/15) None received Prepared by:Karen Chow / SFA / (916) 651-1520 4/8/15 15:13:09 **** END ****