Last week, Congressmen Jim Moran (D-VA), Lee Terry (R-NE), and Frank Wolf (R-VA) introduced bi-partisan legislation to curb problem gambling in the United States. The bill, HR 2906, is dubbed the Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act of 2009.
Revolutionary legislation, the Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act allocates $71 million over five years for problem gambling public awareness, research, and treatment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is charged with overseeing the program. The National Council on Problem Gambling has been the major driving force behind the legislation, which is among the first of its kind.
The organization’s Executive Director, Keith Whyte, shared his thoughts on why no serious solution for problem gambling has been approved on a national level: “It’s surprising and frustrating. Part of the blame is on us. We’ve been around for 37 years, but part of that reflects the real stigma people have in seeing problem gambling as a preventable and treatable disorder. In addition, by and large, most people believe that gaming should be regulated and taxed at the state level. They are not as quick to see a Federal role.”
HR 2906 is divided into three parts, allocating funds annually to each. The Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act allocates $200,000 per year towards public awareness. Information on problem gambling is directed through television, radio, cable, and print advertising. Funds are authorized to focus on “the business sector of the United States” and “professional sports organizations and associations.” Sporting and gambling events are targeted in the campaign, which is directed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
HR 2906 also directs funds towards research of problem gambling. A total of $20 million over five years is allocated towards research, which will be coordinated among several Federal agencies including the National Institute of Health, the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Recommendations of the National Gambling Impact Study Commission should also be taken into consideration.
This is not the National Council on Problem Gambling’s first go-around with legislation supporting the organization’s goals. Whyte told Poker News Daily, “We’ve had bills introduced in previous Congresses and this is our third go-around. Building support has been incredibly difficult. I think it’s a good example of folks that don’t understand gambling issues in general.” A total of 3% to 4% of the American adult population fits the criteria for problem gambling, or more than six million people, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling’s press release.
Finally, $10 million per year is allocated towards the treatment of problem gambling. The bill notes, “The Secretary may make grants to States, local, and tribal governments, and nonprofit agencies to provide comprehensive services with respect to treatment and prevention of problem gambling issues and education about problem gambling issues.” Grants are permitted for various organizations to target their share of the $10 million up for grabs every year.
One of the original co-sponsors of the bill is Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), who introduced a pair of bills on May 6th to alter the landscape of internet gambling in the United States. On Frank’s support of the Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act, Whyte told Poker News Daily, “It’s appropriate that Frank is a co-sponsor. He was a co-sponsor of our previous efforts and has been consistent on this, so it’s not just because of his bills this year. He has been concerned about these issues in the past. We hope to get 25 co-sponsors in total.” Besides Frank, Congressman Howard Berman (D-VA) is one of HR 2906’s four original co-sponsors.
HR 2906 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. We’ll have more news as it develops right here on Poker News Daily.
