Gambling Addiction

Floor Speech

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Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a growing public health problem in this country. It is estimated that nearly 7 million Americans are suffering from a gambling addiction, and while it may not be as visible, it can be just as harmful as any other addiction.

About 90 percent of gambling addicts reported having one or more mental health disorders, as well as increased dependence on alcohol and other substances.

Problem gambling can also cause deep financial and emotional harm to families when the gambler takes on debt to pay for their addiction or manipulates loved ones to get what they want.

Clearly, this is a serious problem that must be addressed. It is why I have introduced the Gambling Addiction, Recovery, Investment, and Treatment, or GRIT Act last week. This legislation would utilize current revenues to devote funding toward gambling addiction, research, and treatment.

My bill would give State health agencies and nonprofits the resources they need to study this kind of addiction and get more people into recovery.

This is a commonsense solution that would improve mental health and well-being for countless families across America. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the GRIT Act.

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