SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5552

                    As of February 25, 1999

Title:  An act relating to using state lottery moneys for compulsive gambling education and awareness.

Brief Description:  Authorizing use of lottery moneys to fund education countering compulsive gambling.

Sponsors:  Senators Prentice, Oke, Heavey, Horn, Shin, Hargrove, Roach, Franklin, Winsley, Brown and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions:  2/25/99.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, TRADE, HOUSING & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Staff:  Catherine Mele (786-7470)

Background:  The Washington State Council on Problem Gambling offers a toll-free information line and referral service for problem gamblers. The council does not give treatment to gamblers, but does provide referrals to various treatment options.  The information line gives contact numbers for groups such as Gambler's Anonymous.  If the caller requests, the information line gives referrals for outpatient treatment providers who charge a fee for their services.  There are no inpatient treatment facilities for problem gamblers in Washington.  The council also provides problem gambling awareness education materials, and problem gambling training for treatment providers and the gambling industry.  As part of its public education programs, the council has a youth problem gambling awareness program.

Current law directs the Gambling Commission, the Lottery Commission, and the Horse Racing Commission to develop and display, through licensees and retail establishments, information and materials on problem gambling.  In the past the council has received financial support from various state agencies involved in gambling and from many private and nonprofit gambling operations.  There are no laws requiring state agencies or other gambling operations to fund the council's activities.

Summary of Bill: The Washington State Gambling Commission is directed to implement a program for compulsive gambling education and awareness.  Expenditures are authorized from the state lottery account as part of the lottery advertising budget for the compulsive gambling education and awareness program.

Appropriation:  $300,000 from the state lottery account to the Gambling Commission.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 19, 1999.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.