
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, January 20, 1995                   TAG: 9501200102
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

LOBBYIST SLAMS RIVERBOAT CASINOS

A compulsive-gambling expert said Thursday that riverboat gambling leads to broken homes, economic ruin and even car crashes. Riverboat lobbyists said detractors are using fear tactics to blunt growing support for floating casinos.

Riverboat gambling bills have not yet been filed this year, but lobbyists on both sides have been bringing in experts and spouting statistics about the casinos' economic and social impact since the General Assembly session began last week.

At a news conference sponsored by anti-riverboat lobbyists, Valerie Lorenz, executive director of the Baltimore-based Compulsive Gambling Center, painted a grim picture of riverboat gambling.

Lorenz said the slot machines on floating casinos are the ``crack cocaine of gambling addiction'' because they are fun to play and some of the machines accept credit cards.

She said teen-agers - who would not be allowed on the adults-only riverboats - are most prone to compulsive gambling and are sent a strong message in riverboat gambling states that the habit is acceptable.

Lorenz also said casino gamblers are dangerous on the roads because they speed to get to the casinos, although she provided no statistical evidence to bolster her point.

``They say their minds start racing,'' she said. ``They are a menace on the highway.''

Supporters of riverboat gambling said Lorenz exaggerated the problem and opponents are trying to turn attention away from growing legislative support for the casinos.

``It's going to be close,'' Charlie Davis, an industry lobbyist, said of riverboat gambling legislation. Opponents ``are hurling everything except the kitchen sink.''

Riverboat gambling bills have failed in the House of Delegates in the last two years, losing by a vote of 42-55 last year. Del. Jerrauld Jones, D-Norfolk, has promised to reintroduce his bill this session.

The Senate has never voted on the measure. Sen. Stanley Walker, D-Norfolk, plans to introduce a bill to get the debate in the upper chamber.

``It seems to help the cause to have a bill working through both houses,'' Walker said.

Walker said riverboat gambling is especially important to his region in light of military and shipyard cuts.

Jones has said his bill would direct some revenue to help gambling addicts. Davis acknowledged that compulsive gambling is a problem for some people.

But Davis said no one knows what effect the addiction has on society. He said it was elitist of riverboat opponents to oppose the legislation that simply would allow a referendum on the issue.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995

by CNB