Gambling Generates $13 Billion in California

 
Casinos and lottery operations make $13 billion last year in California, according to lawmakers in Sacramento, the state capital.  Officials said the lottery alone generates $3 billion in the state.

A state Senate committee released findings of a government report on gaming during a nearly four-hour informational hearing this week.

According to Sen. Dean Florez, a Fresno-area Democrat who chairs a committee that follows gaming, demanded that the executive branch of the state report to the committee more figures as legislators prepare to consider Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed 2007-08 budget.

Democrats are worried that there is not enough spending on problem gambling prevention. Currently, $3 million is spent, but Democrats want to raise the total to $150 million annually, primarily to promote public awareness, prevention services and building a better treatment infrastructure for the disease of pathological gambling.
According to Tim Fong of the Gambling Studies Program at the University of California, Los Angeles, ethnic minorities and the poor gamble are the leading gamblers in the state.  

Rob Blonien, who represents south-state card clubs, said the industry is an important source of entertainment in California.  "Look at the recreational opportunities we provide people," said Blonien.

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