The Public Health Committee voted to send House Bill 7215 to the floor of the House on Wednesday to address problem gambling, particularly as it relates to internet gaming disorder, which has surged since the state legalized online sports betting and casino gaming in 2021.
The committee passed the legislation on a 20-10 vote with two absent or not voting.
The bill directs the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) to establish a program focused on treating and rehabilitating individuals and families impacted by internet gaming disorder.
This disorder, currently listed as a “condition for further study” in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), has prompted concerns from state officials and experts about its increasing prevalence.
