HB5307eng 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB5307 Engrossed LRB103 38512 AWJ 68648 b

AN ACT concerning gaming.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) the State continues to have a responsibility to provide resources related to prevention, treatment, and recovery for persons suffering with a gambling problem or gambling disorder; and

(2) a task force is necessary in order for there to be a comprehensive review of gambling funding, services, programs, and policies.

Section 5. The Illinois Gambling Act is amended by adding Section 13.3 as follows:

(230 ILCS 10/13.3 new)

Sec. 13.3. Problem Gambling Task Force.

(a) The Problem Gambling Task Force is created to provide recommendations to the General Assembly on how the State should continue to meet its responsibility to assist those who suffer from a gambling problem or disorder. The Task Force shall be composed of:

(1) one member of the Senate who shall serve as cochair of the Task Force, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(2) one member of the Senate, appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(3) one member of the House of Representatives who shall serve as cochair of the Task Force, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(5) one member appointed by the Governor who is a representative from the health care industry;

(6) one member appointed by the Director of Public Health who is a representative from the Department of Public Health;

(7) one member appointed by the Chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board who is a representative from the Illinois Gaming Board;

(8) one member appointed by the Director of the Lottery who is a representative from the Department of the Lottery;

(9) one member appointed by the Chairman of the Illinois Racing Board who is a representative from the Illinois Racing Board;

(10) one member appointed by the Governor who is a representative from a nonprofit organization with experience in problem gambling treatment and recovery services;

(11) one member of the public appointed by the Governor who is impacted by a gambling problem or gambling disorder;

(12) one member appointed by the Governor who is a representative from a business or organization licensed under the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975, the Illinois Gambling Act, the Video Gaming Act, or the Sports Wagering Act; and

(13) other State agency representatives or stakeholder group representatives specially appointed by the Task Force for the purpose of participating in specific topic discussions or subcommittees.

The members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation, but they shall be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in performing their duties. The Task Force shall meet at least 4 times.

(b) The Task Force shall:

(1) review existing programs, services, and treatment to address problem gambling and gambling disorders in this State by public, private, and nonprofit entities;

(2) review existing programs, services, and treatment to address problem gambling and gambling disorders in other states and the federal government;

(3) review the emerging nexus between gambling advertisements and gambling addiction;

(4) make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding:

(A) whether additional research and study is needed on the prevalence of problem gambling and gambling disorders in the State;

(B) whether this State should expand State funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery services to address the need for these programs; and

(C) whether the current delivery of State licensing and certification of problem gambling providers meets the current and projected future demand for services; and

(5) identify additional problem gambling areas for consideration and any actions needed to ensure the State or gambling regulatory entities are effectively addressing problem gambling in an attempt to reduce the number of persons impacted by this problem.

(c) The Department of Human Services shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force.

(d) The Task Force shall submit a report of its recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2025.

(e) This Section is repealed January 1, 2027.