FORMER President and now Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants the government to address the problem of compulsive gambling, calling it a “growing public health concern that needs immediate attention”.

In line with this, Arroyo has filed author of House Bill 3599, which seeks to lessen the social impact of the problem of gambling in the country by providing counseling support and information dissemination on its condition and treatment.

“Compulsive gambling is characterized by the loss of control over gambling, restlessness when attempting to stop gambling and continuing the vice despite serious negative consequences,” Arroyo said.

The former Chief Executive pointed out that compulsive gamblers who want to quit but cannot kick the bad habit are prone to substance abuse, mental health disorders such as smoking, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, depression and even suicidal behavior.

Arroyo cited a study of the National Research Council, which shows that 25 to 50 percent of spouses of compulsive gamblers have been abused.

Likewise, Arroyo mentioned a study by the Bland, Newman, Orn and Stebelski, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, on 144 spouses of compulsive gamblers showed that 50 percent were physically and verbally abused by their spouse and 12 percent had attempted suicide. 

"Emergency room statistics also showed that the odds ratio of intimate partner violence increased 10.5 times when the partner was a compulsive gambler," Arroyo explained.

Another study done in Nebraska revealed that compulsive gambling is as much a risk for domestic violence as alcohol abuse, Arroyo pointed out.

If passed into law, the Department of Health will be mandated to launch a national awareness campaign with respect to compulsive gambling issues for the general public, including supporting and augmenting existing national campaigns and the placement of public service announcements.

The bill provides that the Health Secretary shall likewise establish and implement a national program of research on compulsive gambling. 

The measure further provides that the evaluation and treatment of persons who have had their lives significantly impacted by compulsive gambling disorder shall be carried out by counselors whose services shall be available at all health centers.