1960-S

AN ACT Relating to compulsive gambling; amending RCW 67.70.240; adding new sections to chapter 9.46 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 67.70 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that:

(1) The state, through the activities of the state lottery commission and the Washington state gambling commission, is actively involved in promoting and regulating gambling and bears a direct responsibility to identify and address problems created or exacerbated by the presence of legalized gambling in Washington state;

(2) Compulsive gambling is a serious personal and social problem, and there is evidence that a significant percentage of the population is currently affected and that increasing the availability of gambling increases the risk that more citizens will become dependent upon gambling; and

(3) The state recognizes the responsibility to address the issue of problem gambling by establishing appropriate programs and providing funding to further the understanding, assessment, and treatment of problem gambling.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 9.46 RCW to read as follows:

The commission and state lottery commission shall provide the following services:

(1) Maintain and actively promote a toll-free telephone number providing crisis counseling and referral services to individuals and families experiencing difficulty as a result of problem or compulsive gambling;

(2) Establish and expand public awareness programs that include, but are not limited to, brochures and other printed materials and public service announcements;

(3) Facilitate the availability of effective assistance programs for problem or compulsive gamblers;

(4) Conduct ongoing studies to identify populations of adults and adolescents who are, or who are at risk of becoming, problem or compulsive gamblers; and

(5) Create an adolescent prevention program on pathological gambling.

The commission may contract with a nonprofit, state-based organization to carry out the services provided under this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 9.46 RCW to read as follows:

The compulsive gambling account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from the commission and state lottery commission, under sections 4 and 6 of this act, shall be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the purposes of section 2 of this act. Only the chairman of the commission may authorize expenditures from the compulsive gambling account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for expenditures. The state treasurer may receive gifts, grants, donations, devises, and bequests of moneys for this account from governmental agencies, public or private entities, or individuals who may be interested in making contributions for the purpose of this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 67.70 RCW to read as follows:

The commission shall deposit an amount equal to one-twentieth of one percent of the annual gross lottery revenues per year into the compulsive gambling account established under section 3 of this act.

Sec. 5. RCW 67.70.240 and 1987 c 513 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

The moneys in the state lottery account shall be used only: (1) For the payment of prizes to the holders of winning lottery tickets or shares; (2) for purposes of making deposits into the reserve account created by RCW 67.70.250 and into the lottery administrative account created by RCW 67.70.260; (3) for purposes of making deposits into the state's general fund; (4) ((~~for purposes of making deposits into the housing trust fund under the provisions of section 7 of this 1987 act; (5)~~)) for the purchase and promotion of lottery games and game-related services; ((~~and (6)~~)) (5) for the payment of agent compensation; and (6) for the purpose of section 2 of this act.

The office of financial management shall require the allotment of all expenses paid from the account and shall report to the ways and means committees of the senate and house of representatives any changes in the allotments.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 9.46 RCW to read as follows:

The commission shall deposit an amount equal to two and one-half percent of the annual license fees per year collected by the commission into the compulsive gambling account established under section 3 of this act.