Commission Meeting Proclamation

WHEREAS, problem gambling is a serious public health issue affecting one to three percent of the general adult population and often results in personal, financial, familial, legal, and other costs, including a high risk of suicide; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that over 200,000 Florida adults of diverse age, race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status suffer from past-year gambling problems, and 700,000 more are at risk of developing such difficulties, constituting 4.7% of the adult population ages 18 and older; and

WHEREAS, it is further important to note that these statistics do not account for youth, who are increasingly and deceptively exposed to gambling concepts and are at an increased risk for developing gambling-related problems; and

WHEREAS, it is also essential to recognize problem gambling as a societal issue, with 8-10 additional people adversely impacted by every problem gambler, increasing the affected population by an estimated additional 1.5 million individuals, with conservative projected social costs amounting to more than 9 billion nationally each year; and

WHEREAS, problem gambling is treatable for those who seek help, which minimizes the harm to Floridians and to the State as a whole; and

WHEREAS, any individual, professional, or other organizations dedicated to assisting those in need can participate in raising awareness and preventing problem gambling by promoting the statewide, confidential, toll-free, and 24-hour Problem Gambling HelpLine, 888-ADMIT-IT; and

WHEREAS, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling’s public awareness campaign provides an opportunity to educate the public, policymakers, educators, businesses, mental health and criminal justice professionals, and others, about the potential adverse effects of gambling, as well as social, legal, financial, and emotional impacts and available supports; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Lady Lake can demonstrate her support in addressing problem gambling by raising public awareness through a proclamation for the month of March 2023.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jim Rietz, Mayor of the Town of Lady Lake, Florida, do hereby proclaim the month of March 2023 as:

“PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS MONTH”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Official Seal of the Town of Lady Lake to be affixed this 20^th day of March, 2023.

                                                                             

Jim Rietz, Mayor

Attest:

______________________________

Nancy Wilson, Town Clerk