New USA Problem Gambling Bill May Pass This Year

The new HR2334 Comprehensive Problem Gambling Bill of 2011 is another attempt of the US National Council of Problem Gambling (NCPG) to change American gambling laws. The council is urging Congress to pass the bill this time around, after similar legislation failed during the last session of Congress.

The new bill is looking to improve awareness and protection of problem gamblers. It has been launched on June 23 by Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) and also enjoys support of Representatives Berkley (D-NV), Wolf (R-VA) and Hastings (D-FL), who were all in favor of the legislation during the previous session.

According to NCPG the bill is an ultra-important first move that will formalize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s legal authority to deal with problem gambling. The Administration is the first Federal institution to address the issues with problem gambling including playing at online casinos in United States.

The new bill will lay the necessary groundwork for upcoming advocacy and awareness efforts, which will be financed from dedicated Federal funds (also known as robbing Peter to pay Paul).

A spokesperson for NCPG told United States gambling news: “We will highlight the bill at our upcoming National Conference on Problem Gambling and use that opportunity to launch another grassroots campaign to garner support for the bill.”

He went on to add: “We will be working with the Federal Affairs Committee on this initiative and have already prepared a one-page fact sheet on the bill and the full text of the legislation will be available from the Government Printing Office. We look forward to working with advocates across the country to pass this historic bill.”