Thursday, November 02, 2006

As reported by the Pennsylvania Express Times: "Both of the Lehigh Valley's
casino hopefuls have invited social workers to learn about the warning signs
and treatment options for compulsive gamblers. "Lehigh Valley Tropicana,
hoping to operate in Allentown, and Bethlehem applicant Las Vegas Sands
Corp. say they will hold their seminars even without a casino license from
the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The seminars are free and both
companies hired the Pennsylvania Council on Compulsive Gambling to run their
training. "The Tropicana announced its one-day seminar at a news conference
Monday featuring spokesman Mark Nevins alongside Allentown Mayor Ed
Pawlowski and his wife, Lisa Pawlowski. The latter is a licensed social
worker who wants to introduce counselors, psychologists and others to the
national certification for gambling addiction treatment. ".The mayor noted
twice that the cost of Tropicana's seminar isn't part of the $500,000
pledged to Allentown to address problem gambling. This money depends on
getting a state license and could be used, at least initially, for studying
the extent of the issue."