Thursday, January 11, 2007

Twenty counselors from Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services were due to
complete training Wednesday to treat possible slot-machine gambling
addictions, said Carmen Ambrosino, the agency's chief executive officer.
Ambrosino said he had already received three requests for assistance from
gambling addicts, though none were related to the state's first slot-machine
casino, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The early requests related to horse
betting, sports betting and slot machine gambling in Atlantic City, he said.
Statewide, about 100 counselors have started the 30-hour gambling addiction
training set up last year after a survey of counselors revealed that few
were certified in gambling addiction, said Richard McGarvey, a spokesman for
the state Department of Health. The state will collect at least $1.5 million
a year from gambling establishments to help pay for gambling addiction
counseling, McGarvey said. Robert Soper, president of Mohegan Sun at Pocono
Downs, said the casino presented a check to United Way of Wyoming for
$42,500 to help create a local program to supplement the state's efforts.