Pennsylvania HR 52: A Resolution designating the month of March 2025 as "Problem Gambling Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and recognizing the month of March 2025 as "National Problem Gambling Awareness Month."

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 498
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 52
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY HARKINS, DIAMOND, KHAN, GIRAL, FREEMAN, BURGOS,
HILL-EVANS, SANCHEZ, CONKLIN, DONAHUE, SCHLOSSBERG, NEILSON,
DEASY, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, DOUGHERTY AND WAXMAN, FEBRUARY 5, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAMING OVERSIGHT, FEBRUARY 5, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of March 2025 as "Problem Gambling
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and recognizing the month of
March 2025 as "National Problem Gambling Awareness Month."
WHEREAS, Individuals across the country and in this
Commonwealth enjoy the recreational aspects of legalized
gambling; and
WHEREAS, For some individuals and families, gambling becomes
an issue affecting and disrupting the lives of these individuals
and their families; and
WHEREAS, The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
reports that 2% to 3% of the United States population, which
equates to between 6.5 million and 10 million Americans, will
have a gambling problem in any given year; and
WHEREAS, Problem gambling is a public health issue affecting
individuals of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds in all
communities and has a significant societal and economic cost;
and
WHEREAS, Problem gambling is treatable, and treatment is
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

effective in minimizing the harm to individuals, families and
society as a whole; and
WHEREAS, Only a limited number of individuals affected by
problem gambling seek treatment options and utilize existing
problem gambling programs; and
WHEREAS, Numerous individuals, professionals and
organizations have dedicated their efforts to public awareness
of problem gambling and the availability and effectiveness of
treatment; and
WHEREAS, NCPG is coordinating the annual "National Problem
Gambling Awareness Month" campaign during March 2025 to educate
the public about the impact of problem gambling and the
availability of treatment options; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of March 2025 as "Problem Gambling Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania and recognize the month of March 2025 as "National
Problem Gambling Awareness Month"; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to continue outreach efforts
and to work with the Pennsylvania gaming industry to develop and
implement problem gambling programs and further promote
community-based programs in this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and the Department of
Revenue, through efforts of the Pennsylvania Lottery in
conjunction with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, and
individuals, professionals and organizations dedicated to public
awareness and treatment of problem gambling to jointly create,
develop and promote public awareness campaigns regarding the
recognition and prevention of problem gambling; and be it
20250HR0052PN0498 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize that
problem gambling is a public health issue impacting residents in
this Commonwealth in a harmful way which must be addressed in a
reasonable and responsible manner; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all the
residents of this Commonwealth to learn more about problem
gambling and the programs available to help those individuals
and families who have been adversely affected by this issue.
20250HR0052PN0498 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9