THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, February 19, 1996 TAG: 9602190049
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short : 28 lines
The gambling industry, which some experts say depends on compulsive players for a sizable chunk of its profits, is creating the first national center to study problem gambling.
The National Center for Responsible Gaming will not be an attempt to hide or explain away the problem, said American Gaming A ssociation President Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr.
The center will attempt to identify profiles of problem gamblers and recommend programs for prevention, intervention and treatment.
At a time when legalized gambling is booming nationwide, there is some evidence that compulsive gamblers are a cornerstone of the industry's profits.
In Virginia, gambling - the state lottery and other games, riverboat gambling, Powerball and horse racing - has been a hot issue. by CNB