WHEREAS, The National Council on Problem Gambling has designated the week of March 1 to March 7, 2009, inclusive, as National Problem Gambling Awareness Week; and

WHEREAS, The Division Bureau of Gambling Control within the Department of Justice, the State Department of Mental Health, the California Gambling Control Commission, the California Horse Racing Board, and the California State Lottery, California cardrooms, and California tribal casinos have joined the Office of Problem and Pathological Gambling within the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs and the California Council on Problem Gambling in a concerted effort to promote prevention, education, and awareness of problem gambling; and

WHEREAS, There is a statewide effort to educate the public about the issue of problem gambling; and

WHEREAS, Problem gambling is a public health issue affecting Californians of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds in all communities and has a significant societal and economic cost; and

WHEREAS, Treatment for problem gambling is effective and minimizes the harm done by problem gambling to individuals and to society as a whole; and

WHEREAS, Numerous individuals, professionals, and organizations have coordinated their efforts to better educate the public about problem gambling and the availability and effectiveness of treatments; and

WHEREAS, The Division Bureau of Gambling Control within the Department of Justice, the State Department of Mental Health, the California Gambling Control Commission, the California Horse Racing Board, and the California State Lottery, California cardrooms, and California tribal casinos have joined the Office of Problem and Pathological Gambling within the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs and the California Council on Problem Gambling in inviting all residents of the state to participate in National Problem Gambling Awareness Week; now, therefore, be it