A congresswoman is advocating for federal government support to address the mental health crisis exacerbated by the unchecked gambling boom in America. The industry is resisting the proposed legislation.
Andrea Salinas, a Democrat representing Oregon’s sixth district, emphasized the need to hold operators accountable for the rising addiction rates. She proposed legislation that would allocate tens of millions of dollars in funding to help those affected.
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Salinas pointed out that sports betting is proliferating rapidly and suggested that research and treatment should be in place to prevent the situation from getting out of control.
The supreme court’s decision to legalize sports betting in 38 states has led to a surge in addiction cases, according to clinicians, counsellors, and campaigners.
Salinas proposed the Grit (Gambling addiction Recovery, Investment and Treatment) Act, which would allocate half of the revenues raised by the federal sports excise tax to gambling addiction treatment, prevention, and research.
She also highlighted the close links between gambling addiction and other mental health disorders, emphasizing the need to address the issue before it escalates into a full-blown mental health crisis.
Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, expressed support for the Grit Act, stating that it would significantly enhance addiction prevention, research, and treatment resources.
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However, gambling operators are against the proposal, arguing that the industry’s growth has led to increased attention and investment in problem gambling support.
2024-01-27 06:00:33
Original from www.theguardian.com