Title: Compulsive and Addictive Gambling Prevention

Summary: Establishing the Compulsive and Addictive Gambling Prevention Program within the Florida Gaming Control Commission; requiring the commission to ensure gaming facilities participate in the program by taking certain actions; authorizing the commission to allocate funding for the program from a specified source; requiring the Department of the Lottery to deposit a certain percentage of specified funds into a certain trust fund for the purpose of participation in the program, etc.

Full Text:
An act relating to compulsive and addictive gambling prevention; creating s. 16.7121, F.S.; providing legislative intent and purpose; defining terms; establishing the Compulsive and Addictive Gambling Prevention Program within the Florida Gaming Control Commission; requiring the commission to contract for services relating to the program; providing the duties of the program; requiring the commission to ensure gaming facilities participate in the program by taking certain actions; authorizing the commission to allocate funding for the program from a specified source; providing a cap on the amount that the commission can allocate to the trust fund; providing for rulemaking; amending s. 24.120, F.S.; requiring the Department of the Lottery to deposit a certain percentage of specified funds into a certain trust fund for the purpose of participation in the program; repealing s. 551.118, F.S., relating to the compulsive or addictive gambling prevention program; amending ss. 550.135 and 551.104, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Section 16.7121, Florida Statutes, is created to read: 16.7121   Compulsive and Addictive Gambling Prevention Program.  (1)   The Legislature recognizes the potential for persons participating in authorized wagering or gambling activities to develop compulsive and addictive gambling behavior. The purpose of this section is to recognize and mitigate, to the extent possible, the adverse impact of compulsive and addictive gambling behaviors on individuals, families, and communities by raising awareness of such behavior through a prevention program. This section is not intended to inhibit, or otherwise obstruct, medical or behavioral health research regarding the impact of compulsive or addictive gambling behavior. (2)   As used in this section, the term: (a)    Commission  means the Florida Gaming Control Commission. (b)    Compulsive gambling  and  addictive gambling  means disordered gambling by a person who does not have the ability to control his or her gambling and as a result experiences difficulties in his or her life due to such gambling. (c)    Employee training program  means training and materials provided to the employees of pari-mutuel, cardroom, casino, and other such gaming venue facilities that: 1.   Identify the characteristics and signs of compulsive gambling behavior. 2.   Offer techniques to be used when a compulsive gambling problem is identified or suspected. 3.   Include information on available self-exclusion programs. 4.   Include information on how to access problem gambling support and available resources. (3)   The Compulsive and Addictive Gambling Prevention Program is established within the Florida Gaming Control Commission. The commission shall contract, subject to competitive bidding, for the provision of services to operate, manage, and administer the program. The program shall: (a)   Serve as a single-source provider of information relating to compulsive or addictive gambling, including referrals to services for persons seeking professional help for such behavior. (b)   Provide support to persons in need of assistance due to compulsive or addictive gambling. (c)   Maintain a statewide advertising program that promotes and encourages responsible gambling. (d)   Maintain a statewide advertising program that promotes and publicizes the confidential and multilingual toll-free (888)-ADMIT-IT helpline to provide information and referral services regarding compulsive or problem gambling. (e)   Develop and conduct employee training programs. (f)   Report to the commission annually on the services provided, including the number of calls and online contacts received, the number of employee training programs administered for each facility, and the number and type of advertising methods used to publicize the program. (4)   The commission shall ensure that each pari-mutuel, cardroom, casino, or other such gambling venue facility participates in the Compulsive and Addictive Gambling Prevention Program. Each facility must: (a)   Create and file with the commission a written policy for verifying that all employees receive the training program specified in paragraph (3)(e). (b)   Display adequate signage, developed under paragraphs (3)(c) and (d), in a font size that is visually conspicuous in all public access areas of the facility. (c)   Promote the same toll-free telephone number used by the advertising program under paragraph (3)(d) on all print, billboard, sign, online, or broadcast advertisements of any wagering activities, including wagering activities offered online or via mobile or other electronic devices. (d)   Offer a self-exclusion program which allows a person to voluntarily agree to be barred from the facility, or any affiliated platforms or properties, and from all types of gambling offered. 1.   The commission shall ensure that the self-exclusion program is uniform for all gambling operators. 2.   The self-exclusion program must include options for: a.   An exclusion period of years. b.   An exclusion period of years. c.   A lifetime exclusion with an option to apply for reentry after a 2-or 5-year period. (5)   Each year, the commission shall allocate up to 0.3 percent of all funds collected annually in the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund to fund the Compulsive and Addictive Gambling Prevention Program. (6)   The commission may adopt rules to implement this section. Section 2. Subsection (7) is added to section 24.120, Florida Statutes, to read: 24.120 Financial matters; Operating Trust Fund; interagency cooperation.  (7)   Each fiscal year, the department shall deposit 0.3 percent of gross revenue from the sale of online and instant lottery tickets into the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund for the purpose of participating in the Compulsive and Addictive Gambling Prevention Program established under s. 16.7121. Section 3.  Section 551.118, Florida Statutes, is repealed. Section 4. Subsection (3) of section 550.135, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 550.135 Division of moneys derived under this law. All moneys that are deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to the credit of the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund shall be distributed as follows: (3) The slot machine license fee and,the slot machine occupational license fee,and the compulsive or addictive gambling prevention program fee collected pursuant to ss. 551.106 and,551.107(2)(a)1.,and 551.118 shall be used to fund the direct and indirect operating expenses of the division s slot machine regulation operations and to provide funding for relevant enforcement activities in accordance with authorized appropriations. Funds deposited into the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund pursuant to ss. 551.106 and,551.107(2)(a)1.,and 551.118 shall be reserved in the trust fund for slot machine regulation operations. On June 30, any unappropriated funds in excess of those necessary for incurred obligations and subsequent year cash flow for slot machine regulation operations shall be deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to the credit of the General Revenue Fund. Section 5. Paragraph (i) of subsection (4) of section 551.104, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 551.104 License to conduct slot machine gaming.  (4) As a condition of licensure and to maintain continued authority for the conduct of slot machine gaming, the slot machine licensee shall: (i) Create and file with the division a written policy for: 1. Creating opportunities to purchase from vendors in this state, including minority vendors. 2. Creating opportunities for employment of residents of this state, including minority residents. 3. Ensuring opportunities for construction services from minority contractors. 4. Ensuring that opportunities for employment are offered on an equal, nondiscriminatory basis. 5. Training for employees on responsible gambling gaming and working with the a Compulsive and or Addictive Gambling Prevention Program to further its purposes as provided for in s. 16.7121 s. 551.118.6. The implementation of a drug-testing program that includes, but is not limited to, requiring each employee to sign an agreement that he or she understands that the slot machine facility is a drug-free workplace. The slot machine licensee shall use the Internet-based job listing system of the Department of Economic Opportunity in advertising employment opportunities. Beginning in June 2007, Each slot machine licensee shall provide an annual report to the division containing information indicating compliance with this paragraph in regard to minority persons. Section 6. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022.