May. 25, 2016
HARRISBURG— Rep. Jason Ortitay’s (R-Washington/Allegheny) legislation to streamline the Commonwealth’s problem gambling assistance programs passed the House of Representatives today with unanimous, bipartisan support.
Specifically,
House Bill 1887 would require the Department of Health establish and maintain one toll-free problem gambling assistance number, which all in-state casinos must make available to patrons.
“In order to ensure Pennsylvanians battling gambling addiction get the help they need, we must ensure there is consistency and efficiency among our state government operations,” Ortitay said. “By maintaining one hotline, we also save taxpayer dollars. It is a win-win for Pennsylvania.”
Current law does require the Department of Health maintain a toll-free gambling assistance number. The law also requires that casinos to make gambling assistance numbers available to patrons. However, during a recent hearing before the House Gaming Oversight Committee, of which Ortitay is a member, it was uncovered that that there are several toll-free gambling assistance numbers being maintained and utilized in the Commonwealth.
House Bill 1887 can now be considered by the Senate.
For more information about problem gambling, and for tips on how to help a friend or loved one overcome a gambling problem, visit
PAProblemGambling.com.
To stay up to date on news from Harrisburg, constituents of the 46th District are encouraged to sign up to receive regular email updates from Ortitay at
RepOrtitay.com and follow him on Facebook at
Facebook.com/RepOrtitay.
Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Wagner
717.260.6281
mwagner@pahousegop.com
RepOrtitay.com /
Facebook.com/RepOrtitay