H.R. 1141: Gambling Addiction Recovery, Investment, and Treatment Act

This bill, titled the Gambling Addiction Recovery, Investment, and Treatment Act, aims to address gambling addiction through the following measures:

1. Grant Allocations

The bill authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use to award grants to U.S. states specifically for programs and initiatives aimed at combating gambling addiction. Here's how it works:

• The Assistant Secretary will determine the amount of funds available for grants each fiscal year based on a formula similar to that used for substance abuse prevention and treatment block grants.
• If a state does not apply for its share of the allocated funds, the Assistant Secretary can redistribute those funds to other states that do apply, based on the same allocation formula.

2. Research Funding

The bill also provides for the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse to award grants that support research initiatives focused on gambling addiction. This aims to expand understanding and contribute to better treatment methods in the future.

3. Reporting Requirements

The Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to submit a report to Congress within three years of the enactment of this legislation. This report will evaluate the effectiveness of the programs and activities funded under this act, enabling lawmakers to assess how well the initiatives are working.

4. Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes specific funding amounts for each fiscal year from 2025 through 2034:

• For the grant programs (subsection a), the funding amount will be defined as 37.5% of the taxes received from specific gambling activities in the previous fiscal year.
• For research programs (subsection b), it will be set at 12.5% of that same tax amount.

5. Purpose of the Act

The overall goal of this act is to provide financial resources for states to implement effective gambling addiction recovery programs and to enhance research in this area. The bill recognizes gambling addiction as a significant public health concern and seeks to improve treatment options and prevention efforts.

Relevant Companies

• LVS - Las Vegas Sands Corp.: As a major player in the gambling sector, changes in gambling addiction treatment and regulations may impact their business practices and corporate social responsibility strategies.
• MPW - Medical Properties Trust Inc.: They are involved in healthcare real estate investment, and increased focus on mental health treatment facilities could influence their investment strategies and property management approaches.