Gambling Addiction Legislation Introduced

Washington, D.C., June 16th – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, joined with Representatives Lee Terry (R-NE) and Frank Wolf (R-VA) to introduce legislation today, the “Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act,” which for the first time would devote federal resources to the research and treatment of problem gambling.  Supported by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), this bill represents a long overdue federal commitment to address gambling addiction, whose social repercussions add up to more than $7 billion per year.

“Gambling addiction destroys peoples’ careers, disrupts marriages and relationships, and often leads to criminal activity,” said Moran.  “Legal gaming operations continue to expand in the U.S. as state governments look to boost revenues in these difficult economic times. This legislation would for the first time ever make a responsible federal commitment to research and treatment for problem gamblers.”

“The majority of Americans gamble, most without harm to themselves, their families or their communities; however, approximately 3-4% of adults in America meet criteria for a gambling problem,” said Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling.  “The ‘Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act’ integrates problem gambling services into the federal health agencies and supports existing state-based and non-profit programs that help problem gamblers with the devastating consequences of this disorder.”

Legal gambling revenue, excluding most sports betting, poker and internet gambling, has grown into an approximately $100 billion a year industry.  In 2006, the IRS reported that individuals claimed $27.9 billion in gambling winnings on their income tax returns, resulting in $5.3 billion in federal tax revenue. At the same time, the estimated social cost of problem gambling-related bankruptcy, divorce, crime and job loss is estimated at $7 billion annually.  Despite these high costs no federal agency has the responsibility of coordinating efforts to treat gambling addiction.

The Moran-Terry-Wolf legislation would address this deficiency by designating the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) as the lead agency tackling problem gambling. The bill would allow the agency to conduct research, develop guidelines for effective prevention and treatment programs, and provide assistance to community-based gambling addiction services. 

In addition, this legislation would establish a grant program within the Department of Health and Human Services to assist states and localities in administering prevention and treatment programs, to fund research efforts to better understand problem gambling, to develop effective treatment programs, and to support a national public awareness campaign.  All told, the legislation would authorize $14.2 million annually in support of these programs.

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