20 ILCS 301/5-20: Gambling disorders.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall establish a program for public education, research, and training regarding gambling disorders and the treatment and prevention of gambling disorders. Subject to specific appropriation for these stated purposes, the program must include all of the following:

(1) Establishment and maintenance of a toll-free hotline and website to provide crisis counseling and referral services for families experiencing difficulty related to gambling disorders.

(2) Promotion of public awareness regarding the recognition and prevention of gambling disorders. Promotion of public awareness regarding the impact of gambling disorders on individuals, families, and communities and the stigma that surrounds gambling disorders.

(3) Facilitation, through in-service training, promotion of professional staff credentials, and other innovative means, of the availability of effective assistance programs for gambling disorders.

(4) Conducting studies, and other innovative means, to identify adults and juveniles in this State who have, or who are at risk of developing, gambling disorders.

(5) Utilize screening, crisis intervention, treatment, public awareness, prevention, in-service training, and other innovative means, to decrease the incidents of suicide attempts related to a gambling disorder or gambling issues.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall either establish and maintain the program or contract with a private or public entity for the establishment and maintenance of the program. Subject to appropriation, either the Department or the private or public entity shall implement the hotline and website, promote public awareness, conduct research, support treatment and recovery services, and conduct in-service training concerning gambling disorders.

(c) The Department shall determine a statement regarding obtaining assistance with a gambling disorder which each licensed gambling establishment owner shall post and each master sports wagering licensee shall include on the master sports wagering licensee's portal, Internet website, or computer or mobile application. Subject to appropriation, the Department shall produce and supply the signs with the statement as specified in Section 10.7 of the Illinois Lottery Law, Section 34.1 of the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975, Section 4.3 of the Bingo License and Tax Act, Section 8.1 of the Charitable Games Act, Section 25.95 of the Sports Wagering Act, Section 13.1 of the Illinois Gambling Act, and the Video Gaming Act.

(d) Programs; gambling disorder prevention.

(1) The Department may establish a program to provide for the production and publication, in electronic and other formats, of gambling prevention, recognition, treatment, and recovery literature and other public education methods. The Department may develop and disseminate curricula for use by professionals, organizations, individuals, or committees interested in the prevention of gambling disorders.

(2) The Department may provide advice to State and local officials on gambling disorders, including the prevalence of gambling disorders, programs treating or promoting the prevention of gambling disorders, trends in gambling disorder prevalence, and the relationship between gaming and gambling disorders.

(3) The Department may support gambling disorder prevention, recognition, treatment, and recovery projects by facilitating the acquisition of gambling prevention curriculums, providing trainings in gambling disorder prevention best practices, connecting programs to health care resources, establishing learning collaboratives between localities and programs, and assisting programs in navigating any regulatory requirements for establishing or expanding such programs.

(4) In supporting best practices in gambling disorder prevention programming, the Department may promote the following programmatic elements:

(A) Providing funding for community-based organizations to employ community health workers or peer recovery specialists who are familiar with the communities served and can provide culturally competent services.

(B) Collaborating with other community-based organizations, gambling treatment centers, or other health care providers engaged in treating individuals who are experiencing gambling disorder.

(C) Providing linkages for individuals to obtain evidence-based gambling disorder treatment.

(D) Engaging individuals exiting jails or prisons who are at a high risk of developing a gambling disorder.

(E) Providing education and training to community-based organizations who work directly with individuals who are experiencing gambling disorders and those individuals' families and communities.

(F) Providing education and training on gambling disorder prevention and response to the judicial system.

(G) Informing communities of the impact gambling disorder has on suicidal ideation and suicide attempts and the role health care professionals can have in identifying appropriate treatment.

(H) Producing and distributing targeted mass media materials on gambling disorder prevention and response, and the potential dangers of gambling related stigma.

(e) Grants.

(1) The Department may award grants, in accordance with this subsection, to create or support local gambling prevention, recognition, and response projects. Local health departments, correctional institutions, hospitals, universities, community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations may apply to the Department for a grant under this subsection at the time and in the manner the Department prescribes.

(2) In awarding grants, the Department shall consider the necessity for gambling disorder prevention projects in various settings and shall encourage all grant applicants to develop interventions that will be effective and viable in their local areas.

(3) In addition to moneys appropriated by the General Assembly, the Department may seek grants from private foundations, the federal government, and other sources to fund the grants under this Section and to fund an evaluation of the programs supported by the grants.

(4) The Department may award grants to create or support local gambling treatment programs. Such programs may include prevention, early intervention, residential and outpatient treatment, and recovery support services for gambling disorders. Local health departments, hospitals, universities, community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations may apply to the Department for a grant under this subsection at the time and in the manner the Department prescribes.