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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 socioeconomic 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 organization 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, any individual, professional, or other organization 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.
NOW, THEREFORE, 1, Wes Morrison, Mayor of the City of Cape Canaveral, Brevard County,
Florida, do hereby acknowledge the month of March 2023 as
PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS MONTH
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