The Virginia legislature has passed a bill that would add school instruction on gambling to the curriculum on drugs and alcohol abuse. The bill sailed through early committee hearings in the House in February and March, and in the Senate had no opposition at all. Governor Glenn Youngkin is expected to sign the bill. Proponents of such bills hope Virginia is just the first in many states to offer the same kind of programs.
Maryland Senator Bryan Simonaire has filed a similar bill in three successive sessions, without success. This year his bill, SB 363, is lolling in committee. The same thing happened last year. In 2020 his bill was passed by a 44-2 vote but stalled in the House.
Simonaire told SportsHandle, “I simply cannot get a vote by the committee chair. … If we had the vote, we could pass it.” He added, “The main thrust of opposition is about a mandated curriculum. If you mandate one thing, you might mandate others.”
His bill would instruct the Maryland Department of Education to “develop a program … on the dangers of gambling and gambling addiction” for the high school curriculum.
The senator argues, “The tax revenue we receive from the gaming industry is more than all our other business taxes combined.” He continues, “The education system has a moral obligation to address the other side. Unfortunately, with government, we often are reacting to problems after they occur, and this is preventative.”
In West Virginia, Delegate Sean Hornbuckle sponsored a bill on “personal financial literacy,” to which has been attached educating youth on gambling addiction.
Hornbuckle’s HB 4812 was ignored by the House Education Committee until the legislative session ended on March 12. Hornbuckle told SportsHandle, “For whatever reason, we’ve been stonewalled. For what reason? I can’t tell you, honestly.” He added, “My bill did not leave committee. They didn’t even discuss it.” He concluded, “I think it’s definitely a worthy cause,” he said. “It’s one of those things that there can be no harm from it. So the question is, what’s the hesitation?”
Although supporters of problem gambling bills were happy with Virginia bill’s success, it wasn’t without flaws. One of the main one being that it provided no specific funding for carrying it out. In fact it says its cost can be “absorbed by the Department of Education.” In other words, it’s an unfunded mandate.
However supporters point out that the bill at least sets a precedent. Others say a better tactic would embed such a program in gaming legislation, which would then provide the funding.
