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."

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
 1   Designating the month of March 2025 as "Problem Gambling
 2      Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and recognizing the month of
 3      March 2025 as "National Problem Gambling Awareness Month."
 4         WHEREAS, Individuals across the country and in this
 5   Commonwealth enjoy the recreational aspects of legalized
 6   gambling; and
 7         WHEREAS, For some individuals and families, gambling becomes
 8   an issue affecting and disrupting the lives of these individuals
 9   and their families; and
10         WHEREAS, The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
11   reports that 2% to 3% of the United States population, which
12   equates to between 6.5 million and 10 million Americans, will
13   have a gambling problem in any given year; and
14         WHEREAS, Problem gambling is a public health issue affecting
15   individuals of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds in all
16   communities and has a significant societal and economic cost;
17   and
18         WHEREAS, Problem gambling is treatable, and treatment is
 1   effective in minimizing the harm to individuals, families and
 2   society as a whole; and
 3      WHEREAS, Only a limited number of individuals affected by
 4   problem gambling seek treatment options and utilize existing
 5   problem gambling programs; and
 6      WHEREAS, Numerous individuals, professionals and
 7   organizations have dedicated their efforts to public awareness
 8   of problem gambling and the availability and effectiveness of
 9   treatment; and
10      WHEREAS, NCPG is coordinating the annual "National Problem
11   Gambling Awareness Month" campaign during March 2025 to educate
12   the public about the impact of problem gambling and the
13   availability of treatment options; therefore be it
14      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
15   month of March 2025 as "Problem Gambling Awareness Month" in
16   Pennsylvania and recognize the month of March 2025 as "National
17   Problem Gambling Awareness Month"; and be it further
18      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
19   Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to continue outreach efforts
20   and to work with the Pennsylvania gaming industry to develop and
21   implement problem gambling programs and further promote
22   community-based programs in this Commonwealth; and be it further
23      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
24   Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and the Department of
25   Revenue, through efforts of the Pennsylvania Lottery in
26   conjunction with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, and
27   individuals, professionals and organizations dedicated to public
28   awareness and treatment of problem gambling to jointly create,
29   develop and promote public awareness campaigns regarding the
30   recognition and prevention of problem gambling; and be it

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




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