American casino industry groups are pleading with congressional leaders not to purge problem gambling support funds from President Donald Trump’s health care plan.

Earlier this month, the heads of the American Gaming Association (AGA), National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) and the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) sent a joint letter begging Washington pols to “recognize gambling disorders as a public health issue that merits inclusion” in whatever version of Trumpcare replaces the Affordable Care Act (ACA) aka Obamacare.

The letter, which was also signed by the exec director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), notes that gambling disorders were covered under the ACA’s ‘mental health and substance use disorders’ and ‘behavioral health treatment’ categories, in keeping with the American Psychiatric Association’s recognition of gambling disorders as a diagnosable condition in the DSM-5.

The letter’s signatories believe this recognition is critical for enabling adequate funding for research as well as ensuring that the necessary resources and treatment facilities are available to problem gamblers seeking help in dealing with their issues.