A historic milestone has been achieved. The first-ever Senate bill to fight gambling addiction, the Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act of 2010 (S. 3418), was introduced on May 25 in the Senate by Sens. Merkley (D-OR) and Johanns (R-NE), co-sponsored by Sens. Brown (D-OH) and Casey (D-PA).

To everyone who assisted with outreach and awareness efforts on this bill over the past year, thank you. It is because of each one of you, and all or our collective efforts, that progress is being made.

What You Can Do to Help
To keep the momentum going, please reach out to your Senators and ask them to co-sponsor the bill. If contact with your Senators has already been made, please follow-up with every Representative in your state who isn't on the bill. Inform Senators and Representatives that this bi-partisan legislation has 51 sponsors to date (as of April 26).

We know everyone is extremely busy, but by spending a few minutes per week for advocacy e-mails/calls, you will play a vital role in passing this legislation. There are 394 Members of the House and 98 Senators who aren't co-sponsoring this legislation, which will help to prevent youth gambling addiction and provide services for problem gamblers. They need to hear from you!

Here's How:

1. Visit the Online Congressional Directory to locate your Senators and Representatives, http://capwiz.com/cadca/directory/congdir.tt
2. Call or e-mail your Senators and Representatives letting them know you support the Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act of 2010 (S. 3418), and encourage them to co-sponsor the legislation.
3. Send any feedback or comments to us at betsoff@molottery.com.

Additional Resources:

• Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act of 2010 (S. 3418) http://www.ncpgambling.org/files/Comprehensive_Problem_Gambling_Act_of 2010.pdf
• ACT Missouri's Advocacy Page http://www.actmissouri.org/advocacy.asp
• NCPG Advocacy Page http://www.ncpgambling.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=4177