BILL NUMBER: SR 20ENROLLED BILL TEXT ADOPTED IN SENATE MAY 18, 2015 ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 27, 2015 AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 27, 2015 INTRODUCED BY Senators Berryhill, Bates, Block, Cannella, Gaines, Hall, Hill, McGuire, and Vidak MARCH 25, 2015 Relative to National Problem Gambling Awareness Month LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST 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 the 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.