SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1637

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Commerce & Trade, April 2, 2003

Title: An act relating to information for compulsive gamblers.

Brief Description: Promoting education on compulsive gambling.

Sponsors: Representatives Wood, Conway, Kenney, Hudgins, McCoy, Moeller, Linville, Santos, Upthegrove and Rockefeller.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 4/2/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Honeyford, Chair; Hewitt, Vice Chair; and Keiser.

Staff: John Dziedzic (786-7784)

Background: A study sponsored by the Lottery Commission in 1992, estimated that there were then between 14,400 and 49,800 Washington residents who could be classified as "current probable compulsive gamblers." In 1994, the Legislature enacted RCW 9.46.071, recognizing the state's "responsibility to continue to provide resources for the support of service for problem and compulsive gamblers."

The Lottery Commission, the Horse Racing Commission, and the Gambling Commission are responsible for jointly developing informational signs concerning problem gambling and a toll-free hotline for problem and compulsive gamblers.

Summary of Bill: The current signage and hotline programs are declared to be a minimum response to problem gambling. The three commissions that regulate and promote gambling within Washington are authorized to contract with "other qualified entities to provide public awareness, training, and other services" relating to problem and compulsive gambling.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: This bill allows the Gambling Commission, Lottery Commission and Horse Racing Commission to continue, through a contract with a nonprofit organization, existing outreach and training programs designed to address problem gambling issues.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Amy Patjens, WA State Gambling Commission; Steve Griffiths, Dolores Chiechi, Recreational Gaming Association; Gary Hanson, WA Council on Problem Gambling.