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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, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling's (FCCG'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, free referrals to problem gambling resources and supports, including to licensed and
certified treatment providers, self-help support groups, the FCCG's Online Program for Problem Gamblers,
the FCCG's Peer Connect Program, financial supports, legal resources, and many more are readily available
to all Floridians by calling or texting the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine; 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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