[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10007]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PROBLEM GAMBLING ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2011

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce, along with 
Representatives Frank Wolf, Shelley Berkley, and Alcee Hastings, the 
Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act of 2011. This legislation would, for 
the first time, authorize federal support for the prevention and 
treatment of problem and pathological gambling.
  According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, approximately 
6-9 million American adults meet the criteria for a gambling problem, 
which includes gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or 
damage personal, family or vocational pursuits. Over the past decade, 
gaming and gambling has grown in the United States and many states have 
expanded legalized gaming, including regulated casino-style games and 
lotteries. The recent economic downturn only compounds this situation 
as many states consider relaxing gaming laws in an effort to raise 
state revenues.
  At the same time, the federal government and most states have devoted 
very little, if any, resources to the prevention and treatment of 
compulsive gambling. Problem gambling can destroy a person's career and 
financial standing, disrupt marriages and personal relationships, and 
encourage participation in criminal activity. Currently, no federal 
agency has responsibility for coordinating efforts to treat problem 
gambling.
  The Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act of 2011 would begin to address 
this deficiency by designating the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Administration (SAMHSA) as the lead agency on problem 
gambling, allowing them to coordinate Federal action: The legislation 
would allow SAMHSA to conduct research, develop guidelines for 
effective prevention and treatment programs, and provide assistance for 
community-based services.
  While there may be disagreement over the degree to which gambling 
should be regulated, we should all be able to support efforts to 
minimize the negative effects of problem gambling on our constituents. 
I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this important 
legislation.