As used in this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) “Affected individual” means a person who experiences adverse psychiatric or physical impacts due to another person’s gambling disorder.

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(b) “Department” means the State Department of Public Health.

(c) “Gambling disorder” means a condition that causes the person to be unable to resist impulses to gamble, which can lead to harmful negative consequences, and that meets the diagnostic criteria set forth in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Gambling disorder includes both pathological and problem gambling behavior.

(d) “Office” means the Office of Problem Gambling.

(e) “Prevention program” means a program designed to reduce the prevalence of gambling disorders among California residents. The program shall include, but is not limited to, public education and awareness, outreach to high-risk populations, early identification and responsible gambling programs.

(f) “Treatment program” means a program designed to assist individuals who experience harmful negative consequences related to gambling disorders. This program shall include, but is not limited to, training and educating providers, establishing a provider network for the provision of treatment services, and conducting research to ensure the delivery of evidence-based practices.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 18, Sec. 28. (SB 75) Effective June 24, 2015.)