Ortitay bill to streamline problem gambling assistance
State Rep. Jason Ortitay, R-South Fayette Township, has introduced legislation to streamline the commonwealth’s problem gambling assistance telephone number and codify current practice involving education, awareness and training for problem gaming.
House Bill 271 would require the Department of Health to establish and maintain one toll-free problem gambling assistance number, which all in-state casinos would then be required to make available to patrons. Currently, casinos must publicize a gambling assistance number to its visitors. A 2105 hearing by the House Gaming Oversight Committee showed several toll-free assistance numbers are being maintained and publicized at casinos throughout the state. This portion of the legislation passed the House last session as part of a larger bill, but it stalled in the Senate.
The bill also would update the Gaming Act to require the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to administer programming for public education, awareness and training for the treatment and prevention of compulsive and problem gaming. Current law gives the Department of Health this authority, although DDAP has been administering these programs.