>> WELCOME TO WPSU'S CONVERSATIONS LIVE.

I'M ANNE DANAHY, COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE DR. KEIKO MIWA ROSS WPSU PRODUCTION STUDIO.

GAMBLING IS A GROWING BUSINESS AND PASTIME IN PENNSYLVANIA.

ALONG WITH TRADITIONAL CASINOS AND ONLINE GAMING ARE MINI-CASINOS, INCLUDING ONE PROPOSED FOR STATE COLLEGE.

WHILE THE INDUSTRY IS GENERATING RECORD-BREAKING REVENUES, THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THAT AND ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ARE THREE PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON THE TOPIC.

GLENN STERNER IS AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AT PENN STATE ABINGTON AND A FACULTY MEMBER WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH CENTER AT PENN STATE.

AMY HUBBARD IS THE DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAM MANAGER OF THE COMPULSIVE PROBLEM GAMBLING SECTION IN THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAMS.

ERIC PEARSON IS THE FOUNDER OF COPPER STAR GAMING, A GAMING CONSULTING FIRM.

HE HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE RUNNING CASINOS, INCLUDING IN PENNSYLVANIA.

YOU TOO CAN JOIN TONIGHT'S CONVERSATION.

OUR TOLL-FREE NUMBER IS 1-800-543-8242.

OUR EMAIL ADDRESS IS CONNECT@WPSU.ORG.

THANK YOU TO ALL THREE OF YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> TOTAL GAMING REVENUES IN PENNSYLVANIA WERE UP 33% THIS OCTOBER COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

ERIC PEARSON, AS SOMEONE WHO HAS WORKED IN THE INDUSTRY, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS BEHIND THAT?

DO YOU SEE THIS AS A SHORT-TERM UPSWING PEOPLE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME AT HOME LAST YEARS, OBVIOUSLY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC MEANT THINGS WERE CANCELED, THE CASINOS WERE SHUT DOWN FOR A WHILE IN PENNSYLVANIA.

IS IT A SHORT-TERM UPSWING OR A LONG-TERM SHIFT?

>> YEAH, THE OCTOBER FIGURES SPECIFICALLY ARE DEFINITELY VERY IMPACTED BY COVID SO AS YOU MENTIONED, LAST OCTOBER I THINK THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY WERE SHUT DOWN FOR PORTIONS AND THERE WERE IT PROPERTIES, I THINK AROUND THE FILLY AREA THAT WERE CLOSED FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH.

I THINK A BIG PIECE OF THAT DIFFERENT AND HUGE NUMBER INCREASE WAS DEFINITELY A SHORT-TERM EFFECT THAT WAS DUE TO COVID.

>> DO YOU SEE ANY OF IT LONGER RANGE IN PENNSYLVANIA AS THE INDUSTRY SWINGING UP?

>> YEAH, WE'RE SEEING IT IN PENNSYLVANIA AND WE'RE SEEING IT NATIONWIDE REALLY TOO.

THE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN -- HAS RECOVERED PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY AND A LOT OF STATES ARE SEEING RECORD REVENUE FIGURES, PENNSYLVANIA INCLUDED.

IT WILL REMAIN TO SEE HOW PERMANENT THAT IS, THOUGH, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

WHEEL R WE'LL HAVE TO CHECK BACK NEXT YEAR TO SEE IF IT'S CONTINUING IN THAT UPSWING.

AMY HUBBARD ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT IN THE INCREASE IN POPULARITY OF CASINOS AND ONLINE GAMING AS WELL, IS YOUR OFFICE INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED TREATMENT?

>> WE VENT SEEN AN INCREASE IN ADMISSIONS TO TREATMENT AS FAR AS WHAT THE STATE IS COVERING.

WE DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS FOR ANY INDIVIDUALS WHO ENTER TREATMENT MAYBE THROUGH THEIR INSURANCE, SO I ONLY HAVE THE FIGURES FOR PEOPLE WE PAY FOR.

WHAT WE DID SEE WAS A HUGE INCREASE IN THE HELP LINE OF CALLS.

PEOPLE CALLING IN NOW THEY'RE RECORDING SIN COVID THAT INTERACTIVE GAMING IS THE MAIN ISSUE THAT THEY'RE HAVING.

WHEREAS, PRIOR TO COVID, SLOT MACHINES WERE THE BIG PROBLEM THAT EVERYONE WAS CALLING THE HELP LINE FOR.

>> HAD THEY CALL THAT HELP LINE, IS IT JUST A TEMPORARY WAY TO TALK TO SOMEONE TO TO HELP THEM THROUGH ONE MOMENT OR DO AT THE GET REFERRED TO SERVICES?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

WHEN YOU CALL 1-800-GAMBLER YOU ARE CONNECTED TO A PROFESSIONAL WHO UNDERSTAND PROBLEM GAMBLING.

THEY'RE GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND THEY'RE GOING TO CONNECT WITH YOU ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF RESOURCES, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, 12 STEP GROUPS AND PRINTED MATERIALS THEY CAN SEND YOU, ONLINE MATERIALS.

THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO OFFER YOU TREATMENT WITH A GAMBLE CERTIFIED COUNSELOR.

ONCE YOU -- THEY CAN CONNECT YOU LIVE TO A COUNSELOR AND GET YOU AN APPOINTMENT OR THEY CAN GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION, YOU CAN CALL AT YOUR CONVENIENCE.

>> AND WE TOOK A LOOK AT THAT NUMBER RIGHT THERE THAT PEOPLE CAN CALL THE 24 HOUR HELP LINE 1-800-GAMBLER.

YOU CAN ALSO GO ON LINE.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT IF YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT YOURSELF OR CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE.

GLENN, THAT'S SOMETHING YOU'RE ACTUALLY DOING SOME RESEARCH INTO AND TAKING A LOOK AT, LOOKING AT ONLINE GAMING AND GAMBLING.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BRITT THE RESEARCH THAT YOU'RE DOING AND WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO FIND OUT?

>> HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS PROJECT.

IT'S ACTUALLY WITH AMY'S OFFICE.

PENN STATE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAMS ARE CONDUCTING AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PREVALENCE OF ONLINE GAMBLING AND INTERACTIVE GAMING.

WE USE THOSE TERMS INTERACTIVELY DEPENDING WHO YOU YOU'RE TALKING TO IN THE INDUSTRY.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ALL THOSE ELECTRONIC VERSIONS OF OUR TABLE GAMES, SLOTS, SPORTS BETTING, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS YOU CAN ACCESS THROUGH EITHER YOUR P-P-C, THREUFL THE INTERNET OR THROUGH YOUR SMARTPHONE, THROUGHEN APP.

SOMETIMES EVEN IN BRICK AND MORTAR EXPERIENCES WHERE IT'S MORE OF THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WHERE YOU'RE TRYING TO DO THAT ONLINE.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE REALLY FORWARD-THINKING LEGISLATION THAT ALLOWED INTERACTIVE GAMING AND ONLINE GAME BELIEVING TO BE LEGALIZED HERE 'PENNSYLVANIA, PART OF THAT LEGISLATION PROVIDED FOR THIS ASSESSMENT TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT'S IMPACTING PENNSYLVANIANS.

THAT EACH YEAR IS PAID FOR THROUGH THE REVENUES FROM THOSE WHO ARE CERTIFICATE HOLDERS OF THOSE WHO ARE PROVIDING ONLINE AND INTERACTIVE GAMING.

I THINK THAT'S A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO MONITOR AS WE SEE THIS POLICY SIFT OVER TIME.

-- SHIFT OVER TIME.

FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE THE WORK WE'RE DOING WE'RE NOW ABLE TO TAKE LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING CURRENTLY BUT ALSO REALLY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS IMPACTING US INTO THE FUTURE.

>> CAN YOU GIVE US AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT TYPE OF IMPACT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT?

WHAT TYPES OF QUESTIONS ARE YOU TRYING TO ANSWER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO ONE OF THE BIGGEST PIECES WE'RE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ENGAGED ON ONLINE AND INTERACTIVE GAMING.

WHAT WE'RE FINDING IS APPROXIMATELY ONE IN TEN PENNSYLVANIANS IS ENGAGED.

ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR ARE SPORTS BETTING.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT ACTUALLY NOT SURPRISINGLY GROW IN REVENUE ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH AND WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S THE SECOND MOST POPULAR IS TABLE GAMES, SO THINGS LIKE ROULETTE, POKER, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

>> WE'RE GOING TO GO TO A QUESTION IN A MINUTE.

I HAVE TO ASK, THE TIMING OF THIS, GLENN, IS IT QUOINS DENTAL IT HAPPENED TO BE WHEN COVID-19 PANDEMIC HIT AND PEOPLE ARE SPENDING MORE TIME AT HOME?

>> NO, THIS IS NOT CONS DENTAL.

ACTUALLY, IT IS COINCIDENT AM.

THIS WAS NOT ON PURPOSE IS WHAT I MEANT TO SAY.

THIS CAME ON ONLINE, INTERACTIVE GAMING CAME ON LINE 2018, 2019 IS WHEN WE FIRST STARTED TO SEE THE FIRST OFFERING OF THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO ENGAGE IN THIS ACTIVITY ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

IT CAME ON LINE MORE SO IN 2020.

THAT'S WHEN WE BEGAN THE ASSESSMENT OF PREVALENCE OF ONLINE GAME BELIEVING AND WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT INTO THE FUTURE.

IT JUST SO HAPPENED WHEN THE WORLD CONTRACTED THE COVID-19 VIRUS.

>> RIGHT WE ARE GOING TO GO TO OUR FIRST QUESTION.

HE SENT AN EMAIL ROBERT WRITES IN THE CASINO THE CASINO COMES OUT AHEAD.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE WINNINGS?

WILL THIS MONEY FLOW OUT OF THE AREA?

WHO EXACTLY WILL GET IT?

I'M SUSPECTING ROB IS REFERRING TO THE PROPOSED CASINO HERE CENTRE COUNTY STATE COLLEGE.

THAT ONE IS STILL UNDER REVIEW BY THE STATE GAMING BOARD.

SPEAK TO THE IDEA IF THE CASINO GOES INTO AN AREA, IS THERE A WAY MOWCH R HOW MUCH OF REVENUE STAYS IN THE AREA IN THE FORM OF JOBS, REVENUE AND PROJECTS AND HOW MUCH MONEY GOES OUT OF THE AREA?

>> YEAH, YOU HAVE -- YOU HAVE THE TAX REVENUE WHICH M PENNSYLVANIA ON SLOTS IS 54%.

THAT GOES DIRECTLY BACK TO THE COMMONWEALTH AND REDISTRIBUTED.

BUT ALSO, TOO, AFTER THOSE TAX PAYMENTS ARE DONE, THE CASINO HAS TO PAY ALL OF ITS OTHER EXPENSES, SO PAYROLL AND BENEFITS IS BY FAR AFTER GAMING TAX IS BY FAR THE LARGEST EXPENSE FOR THESE CASINOS.

DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE OPERATION, THE LARGER CASINOS IN THE STATE CAN EMPLOY THOUSANDS OF CASINOS, MY TIME AT VALLEY FORGE WE HAD OVER ONE THOW EMPLOYEES AND WE WERE A RELATIVELY SMALL OPERATION.

EVEN THE SMALLER CATEGORY FOUR CAT SEEN -- CASINOS.

MINI ONES BEING DEVELOPED THROUGHOUT THE STATE THEY TEND TO HAVE BETWEEN 350 AND 450, ALMOST 500 EMPLOYEES AND THEY'RE THE SMALLEST ONES.

THOSE EMPLOYEES ALL LIVE IN THAT LOCAL COMMUNITY.

IT COULD BE AFTER THE TAXES ARE PAID, 40 TO 50% OF THOSE REVENUES DO GO DIRECTLY BACK AND THAT'S DIRECTLY PAYROLL.

THEN THERE'S ALL OF THE OTHER SERVICES, EQUIPMENT, EVERYTHING FROM GROCERIES FOR THE RESTAURANTS TO ALL THE MECHANICALS, UTILITIES.

ALL THOSE THINGS GO DIRECTLY BACK INTO THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

>> THAT'S GREAT INFORMATION TO HAVE, AND WE HAVE ANOTHER CALL HERE.

THIS IS INTEREST JUSTIN IN STATE COLLEGE.

HI, JUSTIN.

YOU'RE ON THE LINE.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT?

>> HI, JUSTIN, ARE YOU ON THE LINE?

WE MIGHT HAVE LOST JUSTIN.

WE'LL SEE IF HE GIVES US A CALL BACK.

ERIC, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT COMES IN.

I WANT TO MENTION THAT AGAIN.

MORE THAN 50% OF THE REVENUE THAT COMES IN FROM THE SLOT MACHINE ACTUALLY GOES BACK TO THE STATE; IS THAT CORRECT.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> A LOT OF IT NOT ALL OF IT ABOUT YOU LOT OF IT GOES TO PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> ERIC, I ALSO WONDER IF YOU COULD TALK ABOUT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS THAT WE WE'RE HEARING.

PEOPLE MIGHT BE CONCERNED ABOUT ADDICTION, OBVIOUSLY NOT EVERYONE WHO ENJOYS GOING TO CASINOS ENJOYS ONLINE GAMBLING IS GO TO BECOME ADDICTED OR HAVE GENDENCIES.

FOR SKEPTICS CONCERNED ABOUT IT EXPANDING BROADLY ACROSS THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ABOUT THOSE CONCERNS?

>> I THINK SPECIFICALLY FOR PENNSYLVANIA, THE CASINO INDUSTRY IS DEFINITELY A VERY MATURE ONE IN THE STATE.

I THINK WF 15 CASINOS ACTIVELY OPERATING THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

SO, IT'S A VERY ESTABLISHED INDUSTRY.

I KNOW CONCERNS ABOUT PROBLEM GAMBLING SPECIFICALLY IN ALL OF MY TIME IN THE INDUSTRY AND ALL OF THE DATA AND TRAINING DATA I'VE SEEN IN TRAINING I'VE BEEN THROUGH PERSONALLY, I THINK THE PERCENTAGE OF CASINO CUSTOMERS THAT DO DEAL WITH PROBLEM GAMBLING IS IN THE VERY, VERY LOW SINGLE DIGITS.

A COUPLE PERCENT OF THE OVERALL NUMBERS OF THE IT'S A RARE THING.

THAT'S JUST BECAUSE IT'S A SMALL PERCENTAGE DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY.

I THINK THE INDUSTRY TAKES IT INCREDIBLY SERIOUSLY AND OUR REGULATORS AND EVERY CASINO EMPLOYEE GOES THROUGH EXTENSIVE TRAINING ON HOW TO ASSIST PEOPLE THAT IDENTIFY THEY MAY HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM.

EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF ADVERTISING OR COLLATERAL FROM A BROCHURE TO A TV COMMERCIAL TO A BILLBOARD, WE INCLUDE THE 1-800-GAMBLER MESSAGING ON THERE.

THERE'S BROCHURES THROUGHOUT THE CASINO.

WE REALLY, I THINK, MORE THAN ANY OTHER INDUSTRY I CAN THINK OF REALLY EMBRACE AND WORK VERY HARD TO ASSIST FOLKS THAT MAY BE STRUGGLING.

>> RIGHT AND SOME OF THE REVENUE FROM THE CASINO INDUSTRY DOES ACTUALLY GO TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAMS THAT AMY AND GLENN ARE INVOLVED WITH.

AMY, IS THAT WHERE YOUR OFFICE GETS THE REVENUE?

CAN YOU TELL US US A LITTLE BIT HOW YOUR OFFICE GOT START AND WHAT IT'S LOOKING AT DOING THT UPCOMING YEAR?

>> YEAH, SURE.

ALL OF OUR FUNDING FOR OUR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR PROBLEM GAMBLING IN PENNSYLVANIA COME FROM GAMING REVENUE.

NONE OF IT COMES FROM TAXPAYER MONEY.

OUR DEPARTMENT HAS OUR COMPULSIVE GAMBLING SECTION WHICH IS THREE FULL-TIME STAFF THAT WORK ON PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN PENNSYLVANIA ALWAYS TRYING TO EXPAND WHAT WE OFFER.

IN OUR PREVENTION PROGRAMS, WE FUND THE COUNTY DRUG AND ALCOHOL OFFICES THAT RUN PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THEY GO INTO SCHOOLS AND SENIOR CENTERS AND OUT IN THE COMMUNITY TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT PROBLEM GAMBLING.

WE ALSO HAVE THE TREATMENT SIDE.

WHERE WE FUND TREAT PENLT FOR ANY PENNSYLVANIAN OR THEIR FAMILY FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS NEED TREATMENT AND THEY HAVE NO WAY TO PAY FOR IT REGARDLESS OF THEIR INCOME IF THEY DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE OR THEY'RE UNDER INSURED, WE WILL COVER THEIR TREATMENT.

>> SO, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT SOMEBODY CAN FIND OUT BY CALLING THAT 800 NUMBER OR REACHING OUT TO YOUR OFFICE ONLINE?

>> YES, THROUGH 1-800-GAMBLER.

THAT'S HOW THEY GET ACCESS.

>> GLENN, WHAT DREW YOU TO WANTING TO DO THIS RESEARCH?

OBVIOUSLY, IT'S VERY TIMELY.

U DO OTHER RESEARCH IN THE PAST LOOKED AT OPIOID IN PENNSYLVANIA AND IMPACT IT HAD.

HOW DID YOU COME UPON THIS?

>> THIS IS IT AN INTERESTING AND IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

MUCH OF MY WORK IS AT THE INTERSECTION OF CRIMINAL YEAHS TIS AND PUBLIC HEALTH.

FINDING WAYS TO WORK ON THE MOST SERIOUS ISSUES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

WE'VE HAD A REALLY GREAT RELATIONSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEALT OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAMS THROUGH THAT WORK PREVIOUSLY.

PROBLEM GAMBLING ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH INTERACTIVE GAMING MOVING FORWARD, THESE ARE BIG QUESTIONS THAT WE NEED TO BE MONITORING AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF AND FRANKLY MAKING SURE WE ARE UTILIZING THE DATA TO DRIVE THE WORK WE ARE DOING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WHEN WE SAW THIS OPPORTUNITY WE WERE REALLY EXCITED AS AN INSTITUTION WORK WITH THE STATE AS WELL AS COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH TO TAKE ON THIS AS WE SEE FIT.

>> WELL, IF YOU'RE JUST JOINING US I'M ANNE DANNAHY AND THIS IS WPSU CONVERSATIONS LIVE.

TONIGHT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GAMBLING AND CASINOS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

OUR TOLL FREE NUMBER IS 1-800-543-8242.

YOU CAN ALSO SEND US QUESTIONS BY EMAIL AT connect@wpsu.org AMY, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU WILL DO WITH THOSE FINDINGS FROM THE RESEARCH WHEN THE INFORMATION STARTS TO COME IN?

HOW WILL THAT HELP YOUR OFFICE?

>> WELL, THE RESEARCH ON PROBLEM GAMBLING HAS ALWAYS BEEN LACKING, NO THE THE JUST IN PENNSYLVANIA BUT NATION WIDE EVEN INTERNATIONAL.

THE MORE DATA WE CAN COLLECT THE MORE WE CAN FOCUS ON HOW TO HELP PEOPLE.

THE MORE DATA WE HAVE IN PENNSYLVANIA, THE MORE WE CAN TARGET CERTAIN POPULATIONS OR CERTAIN AGE GROUPS AND MAKE EFFECTIVE PREVENTS AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS AND GIVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED THEM SO WE CAN FOCUS THINGS BETTER IF WE HAVE MORE DATA.

>> AND I WONDERED ALSO, TOO, IF WE COULD DAWK A LITTLE BIT ERIC ABOUT THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT.

YOU'RE SOMEONE WHO HAS WORKED IN CITY.

YOU MUST LOOK AT IT AS SOMETHING THAT'S FUN, SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ENJOY DOING, AS A HEALTHY PASS TIME, SOMETHING TO DO FOR ENTERTAINMENT VALUE.

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO THE INDUSTRY?

AND HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS PEOPLE HAVE COMING AT IT FROM THE OTHER SIDE?

>> IT'S -- I'VE WORKED IN THIS INDUSTRY MY WHOLE LIFE, AND I'VE ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE A COUPLE TIMES AND IT NEVER TAKES.

IT IS EXCITING.

IT IS FUN.

IT'S FUN TO -- THERE'S A LOT OF ACTION, PEOPLE ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME.

IT'S THE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS.

AND THE VAST, VAST, VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE THAT COME THROUGH OUR DOORS ARE THERE TO ENJOY THEMSELVES AND WE LOVE PROVIDING THOSE EXPERIENCES.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT THERE WAS A STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH IT AT ALL AND THAT THAT'S GONE AWAY OVER TIME?

OR DO YOU THINK THERE'S STILL -- DO YOU GET PUSH-BACK FOR IT?

>> I THINK THAT AS CASINO GAMING HAS SORT OF EXPANDED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES, REALLY, THAT IT HAS THE STIGMAS MA HAS DEFINITELY GONE AWAY.

I'VE BEEN THT INDUSTRY FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS NOW, AND THERE DEFINITELY WAS LIKE A MUCH MORE YOU WOULD SAY YOU WORKED IN A CASINO OR SOMETHING AND PEOPLE WOULD BE, OH REALLY, THAT'S SO INTERESTING.

THAT'S AN EXCITING THING AND THEY WOULD ASK YOU QUESTIONS FROM OLD MOVIES THEY SAW.

NOWF ADAYS WHEN I TELL PEOPLE I WORK THT CASINO INDUSTRY, THEY GO OH YEAH THAT'S INTERESTING.

I HAVE A COUSIN WHO IS A DEALER.

I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DO THIS OR THAT AROUND THE INDUSTRY SO I JUST THINK IT'S VERY FAMILIAR NOW.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TO CASINOS, BOTH IN DESTIN NATION MARKETS AND LOCALLY, AND IT'S PROBABLY NOT NOT AS SENSATIONAL AS IT ONCE WITH A.

>> I SPOKE WITH DOUG HARBACH WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA GAMING BOARD ABOUT SOME OF THE TOPICS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT EARLIER THIS WEEK.

WE'RE GOING TAKE ABOUT TEN MINUTES TO HEAR WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ON SOME OF THESE ISSUES AND WE'LL COME BACK TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> DOUG HARBACH, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> CASINOS IN PENNSYLVANIA GENERATE A LOT OF REVENUE AND SOME THAT MONEY GOES TO THE STATE, TOO.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT $172 MILLION IN TAX REVENUE IN OCTOBER ALONE.

CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHERE THAT TAX MONEY GOES?

>> YEAH, MOST HOMEOWNERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THE BULK OF THAT PROBABLY A GOOD 60% OF THE TOTAL REVENUE GOES TOWARD GENERAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

ALL TOO OFTEN, A LOT OF CITIZENS AS I GO AROUND THE STATE DON'T KNOW THEY'RE GETTING THAT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO LOOK AT THEIR TAX BILL.

THEIR SCHOOL TAX BILL AND MAKE SURE THEY SEE THE HOMESTEAD EXCLUSION OR HOMESTEAD CREDIT ON THERE.

THAT'S THE SLOT MACHINE MONEY PROMISED THEM.

DEPENDING ON THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT THEY WILL SEE ANYWHERE FROM 100 TO $200.

MAYBE AS HIGH AS $6 HUNDRED DEDUCTED OFF THEIR BILL.

THERE'S ALSO A GOOD BIT OF MONEY THAT GOES INTO THE HORSE RACING INDUSTRY.

THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE'RE STILL SEE AGRICULTURE AS A TOP INDUSTRY IN PENNSYLVANIA AND A LOT OF GOODS AND SERVICES ARE BOUGHT BECAUSE OF THAT AND JOBS ARE CREATED.

THEN MONEY TRICKLES DOWN INTO SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT HOST CASINOS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT PROBABLY OVER $2 BILLION IN 2021 OF THE REF NEUF COMING FROM TAXES FOR THE GAMES THAT WE REGULATE.

>> SO $2 BILLION IN TAX REVENUE ALONE.

IS THAT RECORD SETTING FOR PENNSYLVANIA?

>> IT WILL BE.

WE HAVE SEEN A RENAISSANCE IN SOME WAYS OF THE REVENUE THAT'S BEING GENERATED IN PENNSYLVANIA.

SOME OF THAT IT IS BECAUSE OF THE ADDITION OF NEW FORMS OF GAMING, THAT INCLUDES INTERNET GAMING FOR CASINO-TYPE GAMES BUT ALSO INVOLVES SPORTS WAGERING AND WE ALSO I THINK BECAUSE OF COVID AND THE DOWNTURN IN BUSINESS AT THE LAND-BASED CASINOS IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF SAFETY MEASURES AND ALSO EVEN CLOSURES FOR A WHILE, A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO LIKE THAT FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT SEEM TO WANT TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND BACK TO THE CASINOS.

WE'RE SEEING SOME REAL RECORD LEVELS OF PLAY AT THE CURRENTLY AT THE 15 CASINOS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

>> SO GAMBLING IS CREATING A LOT OF REVENUE.

IT'S CREATING JOBS AS WELL.

BUT IT DOES HAVE PROBLEMS.

I WANT TO FOCUS ON ONE IN PARTICULAR, THE ISSUE OF PEOPLE LEAVING CHILDREN IN THEIR CARS WHILE THEY'RE GOING IN THE CASINO.

THEY'RE LEAVING KIDS IN THE PARKING LOT OR HOTEL ROOM WHILE GOING INTO THE CASINO.

HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM IS THIS?

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENING ALL THE TIME?

>> IT'S HAPPENING WAY TOO FREQUENTLY.

EVEN ONE TIME IS TOO MANY TIMES.

NOT TO DEFER THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT'S IMPORTANT TO US AS REGULAR IN THE CASINO INDUSTRY BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF BAD PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OUT THERE.

THEY LEAVE THEIR KIDS IN CARS NOT ONLY IN CASINOS BUT OTHER VENUES.

IN PARTICULAR IN AT CASINOS WE HAVE SEEN AROUND 132 CASES OVER THE LAST 11 YEARS OF THESE ISSUES.

THEY'RE OCCURRING 90% OF THE TIME IN THE PARKING LOTS WERE INDIVIDUALS WILL LEAVE A CHILD OR TWO OR SOMETIMES THREE CHILDREN IN A VEHICLE WHILE THEY GO IN AND GAMBLE.

AND THAT'S JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE.

ONE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS, SHAWN, HAS IN PARTICULAR BROUGHT THIS UP AT ALL OF OUR BOARD MEETINGS OVER THE LAST YEAR OR TWO, AND TOWARD THAT END, IT HAS CRESCENDOED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CASINOS NOW ARE PAYING PARTICULARLY CLOSE ATTENTION TO IT.

IT'S NOT THE KIND OF THING THEY WANT TO HAVE HAPPEN EITHER.

IN ONE CASE, WITH THE VALLEY FORGE CASINO THEY HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED $776,000 TO A PROGRAM TO MITIGATE THIS ISSUE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE BOARD IS AFRAID OF IS IF WE DON'T NIP THIS IN THE BUD SOON THAT THERE WILL BE A TRAGEDY WE HAVE DESTROYEDED THAT SO FAR AND PARENTS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED.

PARENTS HAVE BEEN IN EVERY CASE WITH THE GAMING CONTROL BOARD PLACED ON AN EXCLUSION LIST SO THEY NO LONGER CAN GO INTO A CASINO IN PENNSYLVANIA.

THEY ARE BANNED.

THAT IS JUST ONE THE BYPRODUCTS OF THIS BAD ENDEAVOR ON THEIR PART.

>> RIGHT, BECAUSE IF CASINOS ARE BECOMING MORE POM LAR IT SEEMS IT COULD BECOME MORE OF A PROBLEM.

WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT?

IS IT UP TO THE CASINO OPERATORS MAKE SURE THEY'RE LOOKING INTO THE PARKING LOTS TO MAKE SURE THERE AREN'T KIDS LEFT IN THE CARS?

>> IT'S ALL OF ZERO OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

THE CASINOS IN PARTICULAR HAVE MADE MEASURES THAT HAVE ALREADY IDENTIFIED A LOT OF PARENTS THAT HAVE LEFT CHILDREN IN CARS.

THEY HAVE CONTINUAL SECURITY THAT'S ROARVING AROUND IN THE PARKING LOTS OR PARKING GARAGES.

THEY HAVE FOUND THAT.

AGAIN, THEY DO NOT WANT THAT PUBLICITY.

LET ME JUST BE VERY CLEAR, IN THE END IT IS THE PARENT AND GUARDIAN WHO IS THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY.

THEY HAVE TO BE SMARTER ABOUT THIS.

THEY HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO GO GAMING.

THEY HAVE OPPORTUNITIES IF THEY WANT TO GO GAMING TO GET SOMEONE TO WATCH THEIR CHILDREN OF THE THIS IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE TO BE ABLE TO LEAVE THEM IN A CAR OR IN A HOTEL ROOM OR IN A FOOD COURT AND THEN GO GAME.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ONE OTHER TOPIC HERE.

THERE HAS BEEN A CASINO THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED FOR CENTRE COUNTY AND IT'S STILL UNDER REVIEW.

I KNOW YOU CAN'T GET INTO DISCUSSING HOW THAT REVIEW PROCESS WILL PLAY OUT.

I WONDERED IF YOU COULD GIVE US A BIG PICTURE IDEA, IF IT IS APPROVED, WHAT WILL THAT MEAN FOR THE STATE COLLEGE AREA?

>> THIS IS AN INTERESTING PROJECT, AS ARE A COUPLE OF THE OTHER ONES GOING ON IN THE STATE.

WE HAD THOUGHT WE WERE POSSIBLY DONE WITH OPENING CASINOS A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO.

THE LEGISLATURE DECIDED THEY WANTED TO DO THESE SATELLITE CASINOS OF THE CURRENT CASINOS OR OTHERWISE KNOWN AS MINI CASINOS.

SO WE OPENED UP AN AUCTION PROCESS AND CANDIDLY IT WAS SUCCESSFUL.

WE HAD FIVE APPLICANTS PAYING ANYWHERE 50 MILLION TO -- THE COLLEGE TOWNSHIP PROJECT IS FALLING INTO LOCK STEP WITH A COUPLE OF THE OTHER PROJECTS IN THAT IT IS GOING TO BE IN A MALL THAT HAS LOST A LOT OF BUSINESS.

WE'VE SEEN THIS THIS WEST MOTHER LAND COUNTY AND YO ARE,K COUNTY AND EARLY REPORTS ON THAT HAS DONE GREAT REENVISION RAITION OF THAT FACILITY.

IN THE CASE OF THE PROJECT IN COLLEGE TOWNSHIP, WHILE THAT IS STILL NOT QUITE RIPE FOR THE BOARD FOR THEIR VOTE ON ISSUING A LICENSE, IT'S STILL UNDER REVIEW BUT THE PLANS THERE ARE ARE TO HAVE SOMEWHERE AROUND 350 TO 400 JOBS THAT WOULD COME FROM THAT FACILITY.

IT WOULD HAVE 750 SLOT MACHINE, IT WOULD HAVE 30 TO 40 TABLE GAMES OF COURSES SPORTS BOOK, RESTAURANT AND IN THE END, IT'S GOING TO ALSO PRODUCE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ANNUALLY OF REVENUE NOT ONLY FOR CENTRE COUNTY BUT ALSO FOR COLLEGE TOWNSHIP.

>> ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THE REVENUE ARE CONCERNS AGAIN PEOPLE WITH GAMBLING ADDICTION PROBLEMS, IT'S CLOSE AT THAT UNIVERSITY.

COULD ALCOHOL PLAY A ROLE IN PROBLEM BEHAVIOR.

THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCERNS RAISED.

CAN YOU COMMENT ABOUT HOW MUCH CONSIDERATION THE BOARD GIVES THAT PUBLIC FEEDBACK, THE LETTERS IT'S GETTING WHEN IT'S MAKING A DECISION.

>> REFER ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS NOT ONLY ARE ABLE TO BE AT OR REVIEW ALL OF THE HEARINGS THAT WE HAD IN COLLEGE TOWNSHIP TO HEAR ALL THE PUBLIC COMMENTS.

THEY ALSO HAVE A RECORD OF ALL THE INFORMATION COMING TO US NOT ONLY FOR THOSE AGAINST IT BUT ALSO FOR IT.

THEY WILL WEIGH THAT INDIVIDUALLY AS THEY LOOK AT WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF NOT ONLY THE COMMONWEALTH BUT ALSO WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY.

THESE ARE DECISIONS THAT CANDIDLY MANY PEOPLE THINK ARE JUST A SLAM DUNKER, BUT THEY ARE LOOKED AT VERY CLOSELY, OF MY MANY YEARS HERE, I'VE BEEN HERE 15 YEARS, THERE WAS A PROJECT A COUPLE OF TIMES ATTEMPTED IN THE TOWN OF GETTYSBURG.

MANY THOUGHT IT'S GOING TO 50 THERE BUT THE BOARD LOOKED AT IT AND LOOKED AT IT AND THOUGHT IT WAS NOT A GOOD LOCATION FOR A CASINO ON TWO OCCASIONS.

YES, THE BOARD IS LOOKING AT EVERY BIT OF INFORMATION THAT COMES IN HERE AND THEN THEY WILL HAVE A PUBLIC VOTE ON THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> DOUG HARBACH, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE TIME YOU'VE GIVEN TO THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT AND EVERYONE, HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON.

>> WE DID GET A QUESTION THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET TO IN A MINUTE.

ERIC, WONDERED IF YOU COULD ADDRESS GENERALLY THAT ISSUE OF ADULTS LEAVING KIDS IN CARS OR HOTEL ROOMS WHILE THEY GO INTO CASINOS.

OBVIOUSLY THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THE CASINO OPERATOR WANT TO SEE HAPPEN EITHER.

HOW IS THAT ADDRESSED?

>> YEAH, IT WOULD BE HARD TO IMPROVE UPON THE COMMENTS MR. HARBACH MADE.

I THINK THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WE'RE PRETTY MUCH LOCK-STEP IN THE INDUSTRY "WEATHER WORLD" REGULATORS IN THE PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD.

I KNOW THAT -- I'M A PARENT MYSELF -- AND IT'S SOMETHING I PERSONALLY WOULD TAKE VERY, VERY, VERY SERIOUSLY AS A CASINO OPERATOR AND WE ALL DO.

WE DO SIGNIFICANT PATROLS.

PROVIDING A VERY SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT IS NOT ONLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO BUT IT'S ALSO FOR IF YOU'RE A CASINO OPERATION, IT'S VERY MUCH ALMOST A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE.

YOU WANT TO HAVE REGULAR PATROLS IN THE PARKING LOT.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN PEOPLE COME TO THE CASINO, THEY FEEL SAFE AND BY HAVING SURVEILLANCE IN THE PARKING LOTS, BY HAVING REGULAR PATROLS WE DO THAT AND ALL THOSE MEASURES ALSO ASSIST TO COMBAT THIS ISSUE, TOO.

WE ALSO TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY.

>> RIGHT.

AND YOU ALSO DON'T WANT TO HAVE PROBLEMS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT YOUR COMMUNITY IS THINKING YOU'RE NOT CARING ABOUT THESE ISSUES SO THERE'S THE PUBLIC RELATIONS SIDE OF IT AS WELL, I'M SURE.

WE DID GET THIS QUESTION.

I'M GOING TO SEE IF I CAN SUM IT UP A LITTLE BIT.

CASINOS SELLS ENTERTAINMENT WITH MULTIPLE IMPACTS ON THE COMMUNITY AND THOSE IMPACTS ARE NOT IMMEDIATELY TRANSPARENT.

GIVEN THE STEEP BUT HIDDEN PRICE THE COMMUNITY AWS SHOULDER IS IT FAIR TO SADDLE IT WITH THESE EXPENSES SO THE DEVELOPERS CAN ENJOY THE PROFITS WHILE THE COMMUNITY PAYS FOR THE VENUE.

CONCERNS ABOUT A NEW CASINO COMES TO TOWN.

IS IT FAIR FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN YOUR OPINIONS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT SOME OF THE DOWNSIDES OR NEGATIVES TO A CASINO COMING?

WE'VE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT, HOW TO ADDRESS THAT.

ANY OF YOU WANT TO WANT TO JUMP IN ON THAT, THOSE CONCERNS THAT A CASINO WILL BRING NEGATIVES WITH IT AS WELL AS THE POSITIVES OF JOCKS AND REVENUE.

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S CRAZY THAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED.

ESPECIALLY IF IT'S A COMMUNITY THAT HASN'T BEEN CLOSE IT A CAACAA SEES -- CASINO.

I THINK PENNSYLVANIA IN PARTICULAR AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB IN SETTING OUT FRAMEWORK AND LAWS HOW REGULATE AND TAXED TO MAKE SURE THAT BENEFITS DON'T ONLY GO DIRECTLY TO CENTRAL FUNDS WITHIN THE STATE BUT THAT THEY DO GO AND ARE FLOWED RIGHT BACK TO THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT HOST THOSE CASINOS TO ADDRESS EXACTLY WHAT I THINK THE POINT THAT THE PERSON WHO WROTE IN BROUGHT UP.

IT'S BUILT IN STRUCTURALLY TO MAKE SURE THOSE REVENUES DO FLOW BACK AND ARE ABLE TO MITIGATE ANY IMPACTS THAT COULD AFFECT THOSE COMMUNITIES.

>> WE HAVE A CALL.

THIS IS JOAN FROM STATE COLLEGE.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT?

>> I HAVE A COMMENT.

I HAVE A SON WHO'S A GAMBLING ADDICT AND HE WAS INVITED AFTER A WEDDING TO GO TO A CASINO WHEN HE WAS STILL A MINOR, MANAGED TO GET A FALSE ID AND GOT IN, AND HE HAD HIS FIRST EXPERIENCE THERE.

AND HE DISCOVERED THAT HE WAS AN ADDICT AND HE HAS BEEN AN ADDICT EVER SINCE.

I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING A CASINO IN A PLACE WHERE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO IF THEY HAVEN'T HAD THEIR FIRST CASINO EXPERIENCE MIGHT EVEN NEVER KNOW THAT THEY WERE ADDICTS.

I'M SURE THAT THEY WILL GET FALSE DOCUMENTATION TO SHOW THAT THEY ARE OF AGE, AND THIS IS GOING TO REALLY DETRACT FROM THEIR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE THEY'RE HERE TO LEARN TO GET READY TO HAVE A PROFESSION.

I THINK THIS IS A TERRIBLE PLACE FOR A CASINO.

>> JOAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CALL.

I'M SORRY ABOUT THE STRUGGLES THAT YOUR FAMILY HAS BEEN DEALING WITH.

THERE'S A COUPLE DIFFERENT PARTS TO THAT QUESTION.

I WONDERED MAYBE AMY MAYBE YOU COULD TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT DO COME UP WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.

OBVIOUSLY, THEY'RE GOING TO BE GETTING ID; GOING INTO THE CASINO.

BUT FOR PEOPLE WHO DO BECOME DEPENDENT ON CASINO, DO DEVELOP AN UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH T IS IT MORE PROBLEMATIC WHEN IT STARTS OUT AT A YOUNG AGE?

>> THE DATA DOESN'T NECESSARILY SHOW THAT.

IT DOESN'T SHOW THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN EXPOSED TO GAMBLING AT A YOUNG AGE YOU'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO GAMBLE HAD YOU'RE OLDER.

IT DOES WITH TOE TOBACCO AND DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.

YOU CAN FORM A GAMBLING ADDICTION AT ANY AGE.

SO WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE COLLEGE SCENE, IF WE'RE TALKING SPECIFICALLY LIKE CENTRE COUNTY, THE CONCERN ISN'T JUST HAVING A CASINO IN THE AREA BUT COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE AT HIGH RISK FOR HAVING A LIKE PROBLEM WITH GAMING, NOT JUST GAMBLING, WHICH IS VERY SIMILAR.

VIDEO GAMING DISORDER IS VERY HIGH RIGHT NOW.

WE USE OUR FUNDING TO HELP TREAT THAT AS WELL.

PEOPLE CAN SEEK TREATMENT FOR VIDEO GAMING DISORDER.

JUST LIKE IF THEY HAVE A GAMBLING DISORDER FROM THE KA SEEN OWE OR SOME OTHER FORM OF GAMBLING.

IT'S DEFINITELY A CONCERN BUT MOST PEOPLE CAN GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY.

>> AND WE'RE TAKING A LOOK AT A GRAPHIC THAT HAS SOME OF THE WARNING SIGNS.

IS THAT RIGHT?

ARE THESE THINGS PEOPLE CAN TAKE A LOOK FOR?

>> YEAH, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR INDIVIDUALS IF THEY'RE GOING TO ENGAGE IN GAMBLING OR GAMING TO KNOW WHAT THE RISKS ARE OR SIGNS OF A PROBLEM ARE AND FOR FAMILY MEMBERS TO RECOGNIZE THAT AS WELL.

SOME OF THE SIGNS IS THE NEED TO GAMBLE MORE FREQUENTLY, LYING ABOUT WHERE THEIR MONEY IS GOING, BORROWING MONEY TO GAMBLE, NOT BEING ABLE TO PAY THEIR BILLS OR THEIR EXPENSES, IF THEY GET IRRITABLE OR ANXIOUS, RESTLESSNESS WHEN THEY'RE UNABLE TO GAMBLE, CHASING LOSSES AND JUST ISOLATION AND DISTANCING FROM FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> WE ARE GOING TO GO TO ANOTHER CALL IN A MINUTE.

QUICKLY HERE, ERIC, I'M WONDERING IF YOU CAN ADDRESS THE IDING PEOPLE ISSUE.

WHAT STEPS DOES A CASINO TAKE TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE COMING IN ARE OF AGE?

>> THIS IS -- IT VARIES A LITTLE BIT BY STATE TO STATE.

DIFFERENT STATES HAVE DIFFERENT RULES N PENNSYLVANIA, THERE'S EXTRAORDINARILY TIGHT PRACTICES AROUND ENSURING THAT WE NEVER HAVE ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 COME ON THE FLOOR.

OUR SECURITY PERSONNEL UNDERGO EXTENSIVE TRAINING AT ENTRANCES, USUALLY OR ALMOST I THINK ALL THE TIME THERE IS THE BEST EQUIPMENT FOR ID SCANNERS SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT EVEN IF SOMEONE HAS A FAKE ID, THAT TRIES TO COME IN, WE CAN IDENTIFY THAT AND THIS IS WHERE WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH OUR REGULATORS AND ALSO TOO FOR THE CASINOS, THE PENALTIES ARE MASSIVE.

AND IT ESCALATES.

FOR EVERY INSTANCE OF AN UNDERAGE GAMBLER THAT FINDS THEIR WAY ON TO THE CASINO FLOOR, THE CASINOS ARE FINED SIGNIFICANTLY WHICH ALSO DRIVES THEIR RESPONSE TO MITIGATE THIS ISSUE.

IT'S SOMETHING WE TAKE INCREDIBLY SERIOUSLY AS AN INDUSTRY AND WORK VERY, VERY HARD TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE UNDER AGE GETS ON THE CASINO FLOOR.

IF YOU'RE JUST JOINING YOU GOES I'M ANNE DANNAHY.

THIS IS WPSU'S CONVERSATIONS LIVE.

WE'RE READY TO TAKE YOUR CALLS.

OUR TOLL FREE NUMBER IS 1-800-543-8242.

YOU CAN ALSO SEND US QUESTIONS BY EMAIL AT CONNECT@WPSU.ORG.

WE'RE GOING TO GO NOW TO A PHONE CALL THAT WE GOT AND THIS IS FROM HORATIO IN STATE COLLEGE.

YOU'RE ON THE AIR.

>> HELLO.

>> THANK FOR CALL.

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> WE CAN HEAR YOU.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT.

>> YES, FIRST OF ALL, I WANTED TO THANK YOU.

THE COMMUNICATION AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE MY CONCERN.

IT IS ACTUALLY A CONCERN I DEVELOPED AS I WAS LISTENING TO THE PROGRAM.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU HAS EVER BEEN LEFT BY THEMSELVES IN A CAR IN A LOCKED CAR WHILE YOUR PARENTS GO SOMEWHERE TO PLAY A GAME OR FOR WHATEVER REASON, BUT IT'S A VERY DISTRESSING SITUATION.

UNFORTUNATELY, I WANTED TO ASK, HOW CAN ONE PUT AN AMOUNT OF MONEY, AN AMOUNT OF REVENUE ON THE ANGUISH OF A CHILD?

THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO MAKE MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME.

I REALLY DON'T THINK THIS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AS FAR AS WHAT WE COULD DO TO -- THE PROBLEM OF GAMBLE WOULD EXIST IF WE DIDN'T HAVE GAMBLING.

SO MY QUESTION IS, HOW MUCH MONEY TO JUSTIFY 11 CASES PER YEAR OF PEOPLE LEFT INSIDE CARS TRAPPED?

WHILE PARENTS LEAVE THEM.

>> HORATIO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CALL OF THE I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF OUR GUESTS HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD ON THE TOPIC OF MAKING YOUR SHOO WHAT KA SCENES KNOWS CAN DO TO MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

ERIC, WE WERE TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT CASINOS DO DO NOW AS FAR AS SCOUTING OUT THE PARKING LOTS OR INSTALLING VIDEO CAMERAS.

IT RAISES THE LARGER PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUE OF WHETHER IT'S WORTH IT.

>> IT'S NOT SO MUCH OF A -- ISSUE WHEN CAVE INTO SOCIETY.

AND WHEN WE RESTRICT -- MISS TREAT CHILDREN, CHILDREN GROW INTO ADULTS WHO ALSO MISTREAT THEIR CHILDREN.

IT'S A CASCADING PROBLEM.

IT'S MORE THAN A THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTION.

EVEN THOUGH I HAVE BEEN TOLD MORE THAN ONCE I TEND TO LOOK AT THINGS PHILOSOPHICALLY.

I APOLOGIZE IF THAT'S THE CASE.

I THINK IT'S VERY PRACTICAL.

IN MY EXPERIENCE TELLS ME VIOLENCE CASCADES AND CASCADES INTO UNPREDICTABLE WAYS.

WHY ARE WE FUNDING -- WHY ARE WE GOING TO ALLOW AND ALLOCATE RESOURCES FOR ACTIVITIES THAT ARE SELF-DEFEATING?

>> THANK YOU HORATIO FOR THAT CALL.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF THE GUESTS, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO COMMENT ON THAT.

I THINK HE MENTIONED THE FUNDING.

OF COURSE, THE FUNDING COMES FROM PRIVATE ENTERPRISES THAT WOULD PAY FOR IT ON THAT SIDE OF IT.

PUT THAT OUT THERE IF ANY OIR COMMENTS ON THAT?

OKAY.

THANK YOU, HORATIO.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE DO HAVE ANOTHER CALL.

THIS HAVE FROM MARY IN STATE COLLEGE.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT?

>> I DO.

I HAVE A QUESTION.

I THINK EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THE HOUSE OR THE GAMBLING COMPANY ALWAYS WINS, AND I JUST WONDERED HOW THEY SET THAT UP SO THEY WIN?

DOES IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH A PARTICULAR GAMBLER MAKING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY AND THEY CUT THEM OFF?

DOES THE DEALER HAVE TO BE AWARE OR WITHOUT GIVING AWAY ANY SECRETS, HOW DOES THE HOUSE SET IT UP SO THEY WIN?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

ERIC, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN GIVE US ANY INSIDER INFORMATION ON BEHIND THE SCENES, HOW DOES THAT WORK?

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE CASINO OPERATOR DOES NOT WANT TO LOSE MONEY.

>> IT'S A QUESTION THAT I GET A LOT.

AND MY CANNED RESPONSE IS, IF I KNEW HOW TO BEAT THE HOUSE, I WOULDN'T BE SITTING HERE TALKING TO YOU.

THE REALITY IS, IS THAT THE SAYING THAT THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS IS A SAYING.

THE REALITY OF HOW THESE GAMES WORK, THE MACHINES AND THE GAMES ARE VERY HEAVILY REGULATED.

THE CALLER IS CORRECT THAT THE HOUSE, THE CASINO DOES HAVE A MATHEMATICAL ADVANTAGE OVER THE LONG TERM ON ANY GAME OFFERED IN THE CASINO, OTHERWISE THEY WOULDN'T EXIST.

HOWEVER, THE VAST MAJORITY OF ALL THE BETS OR ALL THE WAGERS THAT ARE MADE ARE RETURNED ARE PAID BACK.

IF THAT WASN'T THE CASE, NO ONE WOULD BE -- WOULD GO IN THE CASINO.

IT IS -- WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO, IT'S A FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT.

THERE DEFINITELY ARE WINNERS, AND THERE DEFINITELY ARE PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE A WINNING EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY COME IN, TOO.

BUT THE GAMES ARE ALL VERY SECURE.

IT'S NOT LIKE THERE'S NO EFFECTS OF -- WE DON'T TRACK PLAYERS THAT COME IN AND IF THEY'VE HAD -- IF THEY HAVE WON TOO MUCH, WE MAKE IT SO THEY LOSE.

THAT'S NOT HOW ANY OF THIS WORKS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT INCITE INTO IT.

OF I WANTED TO GO BACK TO ONE OF THE TOPICS THAT HAD COME UP A LITTLE BIT BEFORE.

CONCERN ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE BECOMING DEPENDENT ON GAMBLING.

IT WAS MENTIONED THE IDEA THERE'S ONLINE GAMING EVEN IF YOU'RE IN AN AREA WHERE THERE ISN'T A CASINO, YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SPENDING TIME ONLINE GAMBLING OR GAMING, HOWEVER YOU WANT TO LOOK AT IT.

GLENN, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT?

IS THAT A REAL GROWING CONCERN?

OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE NOT JUST YOUNG PEOPLE IN GENERAL SPEND A LOT MORE TIME ONLINE AND WITH THE PANDEMIC COMPOUNDING THAT.

>> YEAH.

HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT THAT ANNE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE ABILITY TO HAVE THIS ASSESSMENT.

IF WE UNDERSTAND OVER TIME THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ENGAGED IN THIS WORK -- WHO ARE ENGAGED IN THIS ACTIVITY, WE CAN THEN HOPE TO GET HELP AMY IN HER OFFICE ADDRESS ANY ISSUES WE'RE NOTICING WITHIN THE DATA WE'RE RECEIVING.

ONE OF THE REALLY IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE ASSESSMENT IS ASSESSING PROBLEM GAMBLING WITH THOSE WHO ENGAGE IN INTERACTIVE GAMING.

ONLY ABOUT TWO% OF THE FOLKS CONTACTED 1-800-GAMBLER.

THAT'S A GOOD SIGN.

THAT TELLS ME A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS DON'T BELIEVE THEY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH PROBLEM GAMBLING.

BUT WE ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE WE HAVE A SERIES OF QUESTIONS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH BEHAVIORS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH INDICATORS THEY MIGHT HAVE AN ISSUE.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE AT LEAST MONITORING THAT OVER TIME.

JUST UNDER HALF SO ABOUT 45% OF INDIVIDUALS INDICATED THEY HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF THOSE BEHAVIORS.

IF WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MEASURING THIS, UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF THE AVAILABILITY OF ONLINE GAMBLING AND INTERACTIVE GAMING OVER TIME, I THINK THIS THIS IS GOING TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE APPROPRIATE PREVENTION PROGRAMS, INTERVENTION PROGRAMS, ACCESS TO 1-800-GAMBLING AND SERVICES PROVIDED THERE THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAMS ON THE LOCAL SCALE, THIS IS GOING TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAVE THE BAD EFFECTS MANY PEOPLE ARE AFRAID.

>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE SPECIFICALLY IN PENNSYLVANIA?

HOW IS THIS, WOULDING KIND OF LOGISTICALLY?

>> YEAH, WE'VE BEEN ONLY FOCUSING HERE ON PENNSYLVANIA.

THIS STA SURVEY OF PENNSYLVANIANS.

IT'S A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

THROUGH THAT SAMPLE WE HAVE IDENTIFIED ONE IN TEN SO 11% OR SO INDIVIDUAL WHO HAVE INDICATED THEY HAVE ENGAGED IN INTERACTIVE GAME BELIEVING ACROSS 20 TO 2021.

LATE 2020 TO EARLY 2021.

WE ARE IN OUR SECOND YEAR OF GATHERING THIS DATA OF RESIDENTS.

IF YOU'RE GETTING A CALL FROM PENN STATE ASKING YOU ABOUT THE GAMBLING BEHAVIORS IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD, PLEASE DON'T HANG UP.

PLEASE ANSWER.

WRE PRESSURE WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PHONE SURVEY.

JUST KNOW THAT YOU WILL BE GETTING SOME HOPEFULLY A CALL FROM STATE COLLEGE.

THE WAY THIS ACTUALLY WORKS IS THEN WE TAKE THAT INFORMATION AND WE'RE GOING TO FOLLOW THIS YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.

THIS IS AN ASSESSMENT AS LONG AS GAMBLING ONLINE IS AVAILABLE IN PENNSYLVANIA, WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIND WAYS TO UTILIZE THIS DATA TO ADDRESS ANY ISSUES THAT COME ACROSS NOW AS WELL AS INTO THE FUTURE.

>> THAT'S GREAT TO KNOW.

A LONG-RANGE STUDY THAT WILL KEEP PROVIDING THAT INFORMATION, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TRACK IT OVER TIME.

WE DO HAVE A CALM MORE PHONE CALLS COMING IN.

WE'RE GOING TO GO TO RICK IN JOHNSTOWN.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

HI DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION.

>> MY QUESTION -- CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> GO AHEAD, RICK.

>> >> YEAH MY QUESTION IS, -- I HAVE TWO.

DOES ANYBODY KNOW ROUGHLY HOW MUCH MONEY IS BET ON LIKE THE NFL?

LIKE EACH SUNDAY?

ANY IDEAS?

>> SPORTS BETTING, NFL SPECIFICALLY.

I DO NOT KNOW THAT NUMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

ANYBODY THAT CAN HELP OUT WITH THAT QUESTION?

I'M SORRY, RICK, WE CAN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

I CAN TELL YOU THE STATE IS LOOKING AT GATHERING ABOUT $2 BILLION IN TAX REVENUES THIS YEAR.

THAT'S NOT AN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION BUT DOES PUT SOME DOLLAR ON IT.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU, THOUGH.

WE DO HAVE ANOTHER -- >> ALL RIGHT HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

WE HAVE ANOTHER CALL.

THIS THIS IS FROM DAVE IN STATE COLLEGE.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT?

>> YES, I DO.

I ONCE WORKED AT HARRIS CASINO IN REASON KNOW, NEVER VND A IT WAS DEPRESSING TO SEE THE POOR PEOPLE DELIVERED ON THE DAY AFTER WELFARE CHECKS WERE DELIVERED AND PEOPLE WOULD SPEND THEIR WELFARE CHECKS ON GAMBLING.

THE ODDS FAVOR THE HOUSE ON EVERY BET.

GENERAL PUBLIC THEN WOULD WOULD BE STUCK ON PAYING THEIR BILLS AND FEEDING THEIR FAMILIES FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH.

WILL THIS PROPOSED CASINO BE PERMITTED TO ENTICE THE PUBLIC FROM SAY SPRING MILLS AND PHILIPSBURG AND ALL THESE OTHER AREAS WITH FREE BUS TICKETS, DRINK OR TWO WOODEN NICKELS TO BLOW THEIR WELFARE CHECKS.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER SPECIFICALLY.

ERIC IS NOT HERE TO REPRESENT THAT PARTICULAR CASINO.

HE IS HERE TO SPEAK FOR HIS BUSINESS ON HIS OWN BEHALF.

I DON'T KNOW IF AMY OR GLENN CAN TALK TO THE QUESTION MORE ABOUT WHO ENDS UP WITH CASINO OR GAMBLING PROBLEMS?

DOES IT AFFECT PEOPLE WHO HAVE LESS MONEY DISPROPORTIONATELY?

>> WELL, THE DATA SHOWS NO.

IT AFFECTS EVERYBODY.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TREATMENT WHO MAKE OVER SIX FIGURES AND HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM.

SO IT AFFECTS EVERYBODY FROM EVERY SOCIAL ECONOMIC BACKGROUND.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE HERE THAT 85% OF PENNSYLVANIANS PARTICIPATE IN GAMBLE.

BUT ONLY FOUR% OF THEM ACTUALLY END UP WITH A PROBLEM GAMBLING.

THAT'S A SMALL PERCENTAGE.

IT'S STILL TOO.

WE DON'T WANT ANYONE TO HAVE A PROBLEM GAMBLING.

BUT MOST PEOPLE CAN GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY.

AND THEN THE OTHER THING TO CONSIDER IS THAT THERE IS A LOT OF STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH PROBLEM GAMBLING, SO PEOPLE WHO DO HAVE A PROBLEM USUALLY ARE NOT SEEKING HELP UNTIL THEIR PROBLEM IS VERY SERIOUS AND THEY'RE FACING JAIL TIME OR EVICTION OR BANKRUPTCY, SO PEOPLE ARE NOT ENTERING TREATMENT AS QUICKLY AS WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM ENTER IT.

>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW, GLENN, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THAT?

>> YEAH, THE ONLY THING I WOULD LIKE TO ADHERE IS THAT I THINK AMY IS REALLY HIGHLIGHTING SOME IMPORTANT STATISTICS AND SPECIFICALLY NOTING THAT STIGMA GETTING INTO TREATMENT IS PREVALENT.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE KNOW THAT THE BEST WAY TO HELP PEOPLE OUT IS TO HELP THEM EARLY.

SO BY HAVING DATA, BY HAVING ASSESSMENTS LIKE THE ONE WE'RE CONDUCTING, WE'RE ABLE TO HOPEFULLY DEVELOP THESE INTERVENTIONS THAT WILL REACH THOSE WHO NEED IT THE MOST AND AT AN EARLIER POINT RATHER THAN TOO FAR INTO THEIR ISSUE ASSOCIATED WITH GAMBLING THAT THEY'RE HAVING ALL THIS DEVASTATION SURROUNDING THEM.

I WANT TO FOCUS HAVING THE DATA, HAVING EARLY ASSESSMENTS, HAVING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE WAYS IN WHICH PEOPLE ARE ENGAGING IN GAMBLING AND ONLINE GAMING IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR THE WORK THAT AMY IS DOING.

>> GLENN, YOU MENTIONED A LIST OF QUESTIONS YOU ASKED EARLIER.

IS IS THAT HOW YOU DEFINE WHAT GAMING PROBLEM GAMBLING IS?

THERE A SPECIFIC DEFINITION FOR IT?

>> THERE IS ACTUALLY.

AMY, DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THIS QUESTION?

I THINK YOU'RE PROBABLY THE BEST TO ANSWER THAT.

>> SO, BASICALLY, A PROBLEM GAMBLING IS ANY KIND OF GAMBLING OR GAMING BEHAVIOR THAT DISRUPT AS AN INDIVIDUAL'S PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE OR SUCCESS AT WORK OR SCHOOL.

WE WENT OVER THE SIGNS AND IT CAN BE DIFFERENT FOR EVERYBODY AS TO WHAT IS A PROBLEM AND WHAT MAKES IT SEVERE.

>> SO THE QUESTION IS HOW IS IT IMPACTING THEIR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF THOSE AROUND THEM.

WE DO HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION, AND THIS IS FROM MARY ELLEN.

HOW WILL CASINO JOBS POSITIVELY IMPACT THE AREA?

WHAT ARE THE WAGES OFFERED FOR THE POSITIONS IN THE CASINO.

SHE IS PROBABLY TALKING ABOUT STATE CHEJ PROPOSED CASINO.

YOU CAN TALK ABOUT GENERALLY HOW MANY JOBS DOES A TYPICAL MINI CASINO LIKE THE ONE PROPOSED FOR CENTER COUNTY BRING WITH IT AND IS THERE A TYPICAL SALARY?

>> YEAH, SO IT'S IN TERMS OF THE OVERALL POSITIONS, IT VARIES A LITTLE BIT, BUT IT'S RIGHT AROUND THAT 400 NUMBER.

SO IT'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF JOBS AND I STARTED IN THIS BUSINESS BUSING TABLES AT A KA SEEN ANY IN NEVADA AND WORKED IN THE INDUSTRY EVERY SIRCHES.

HAD BEEN ABLE TO WORK MY WAY UP THROUGH THE INDUSTRY.

WUNL OF THE THINGS I THINK IS GRADE R GREAT ABOUT IT IS PRETTY MUCH NO MATTER WHAT YOUR' INTERESTED IN.

IT COULD BE MAKE YOU COME IN AS A WAITER OR BUSBOY OR FACILITIES CREW OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, IN MOST CASES, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A DISCIPLINE THAT'S BEYOND THAT, IT COULD BE ACCOUNTING, IT COULD BE IT, IT COULD BE ELECTRICAL TRADES, REALLY ANYTHING, CHANCES ARE THERE ARE POSITIONS AND THERE'S A PATHWAY TO GROW WITHIN THE INDUSTRY AND IT'S -- I DID IT PERSONALLY AND I'M NOT AN UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THAT.

I WENT FROM BUSBOY TO CASINO CEO.

A LOT OF MY PEERS HAD SIMILAR PATHS.

I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS IS THAT IT GIVES OPPORTUNITIES TO FOLKS THAT MAYBE DON'T HAVE -- DIDN'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A COLLEGE DEGREE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

REGULAR FOLKS THAT CAN START OFF AND WORK THEIR WAY UP AND THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITIES.

THERE ARE TYPICALLY VERY COMPETITIVE WAGES ACROSS THE BOARD.

CASINOS TYPICALLY OFFER EXCELLENT BENEFITS PACKAGES AND FOR THE MOST PART GREAT PLACES TO WORK.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE VERY PROUD OF AS AN INDUSTRY, AND IT'S A THING THAT'S KEPT ME ENGAGED AND A NEW CASINO DEVELOPMENT GOING ANYWHERE I THINK WOULD BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY IT GOES IN IN THOSE WAYS.

>> ERIC, WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.

I DON'T KNOW IF IS THE TIME OF QUESTION YOU CAN ANSWER IN A MINUTE OR LESS.

HOW DOES THE INDUSTRY DECIDE WHERE IT'S GOING TO SITUATE A CASINO?

I'M LOOKING AT PENNSYLVANIA AND THINKING THERE'S A LOT OF KA CASINOS AROUND THE EDGE BUT NOT NORTH CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.

HOW DOES AN OPERATOR DECIDE WHERE A GOOD FIT IS?

>> WELL, THEY START DOING EXACTLY WHAT YOU DESCRIBED.

LOOK AT A MAP FIRST AND SEE IF THERE ARE AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY CASINOS ARE SIGNIFICANT MASSIVE INVESTMENTS.

EVEN THE SMALLER CATEGORY FOUR CASINOS, THE MINIMUM YIE CASINOS.

NONE OF THEM TO MY NUNDER UNDERERRED A MILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD.

THOSE ARE FOR THE SMALLEST EXAMPLES OF THE A LOT OF THE RESORT CASINOS ARE HUNDREDS OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS DOLLARS.

IF IT'S CASINO OPERATING COMPANY OR DEVELOPER WISHING TO DO THIS, OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE -- IT'S A MASSIVE INVESTMENT.

A LOT OF TIME AND RESEARCH GOES INTO MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S A POPULATION THAT WOULD FIT IN WITH THAT DEVELOPMENT AND IT'S -- I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN SUM THAT UP IN A MINUTE BUT IT IS DEFINITELY A VERY INVOLVED PROCESS.

>> THANK YOU FOR TRYING AND GLENN STERNER, HAIMY HUBBARD, ERIC PEARSON THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND FOR FIELDING THE QUESTIONS.

>> THANKS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US,.

>> WE'VE BEEN TALKING WITH GLENN STERNER, AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AT PENN STATE ABINGTON; AMY R. HUBBARD, WITH THE COMPULSIVE PROBLEM GAMBLING SECTION OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAMS; AND ERIC PEARSON, FOUNDER OF COPPER STAR GAMING.

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