This Just In From the California Office of Problem Gambling

Jerome E. Horton, Vice Chairperson of the California State Board of Equalization recently was recognized at the first annual California Problem Gambling Training Summit for his outstanding leadership as a policy maker and continuous support in mitigating problem gambling throughout the State.

The California Office of Problem Gambling (OPG), a division of the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, presented Horton with an award entitled “Achieving Success One Step at a Time,” at an awards luncheon co-hosted by the California Council on Problem Gambling and OPG on Thursday, March 11, 2010, at the Red Lion Inn in Sacramento .

“Mr. Horton was chosen to receive the first Office of Problem Gambling Legislator’s Award for his tireless commitment to public service and initiating prevention and treatment programs for problem gamblers and their families,” said OPG Deputy Director Terri Sue Canale. “We applaud him for his forward thinking and solutionsoriented, consensus building efforts.”

OPG has coordinated this training summit in conjunction with National Problem Gambling Awareness Week, a grassroots public awareness and outreach campaign to educate the general public and health care professionals about the warning signs of problem gambling.

In learning of the award, Mr. Horton stated, “I am humbled and honored by the California Office of Problem Gambling’s decision to select me as the first recipient of the Achieving Success One Step at a Time award. The title of the award closely aligns with my life passion to do all that I am able to do for as many individuals as possible one day at a time.”

In 2003, Mr. Horton authored Assembly Bill 673 creating the Office of Problem and Pathological Gambling with a $3 million funding appropriation.

His accomplishments have had a “positive impact on the realities of problem gambling and have helped to minimize its negative effects on Californians statewide,” Canale said.

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