Gaming officials in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania announced today that casinos can contribute to the state's economy and fears that casinos will start a wave of problem gambling and crime have no root in reality.

This issue will be discussed next week at hearings across the state. Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board executive director, Anne L. Neeb, said in an interview this week that she believes that there's a lot of misunderstanding towards the gambling industry and there are a lot of unwarranted fears and anxieties about what happens when gaming comes to town. Neeb also said that the addition of slot-machine rooms in the state will not create new cases of gambling addiction and added that there is no way to prevent people from spending their whole money on lottery tickets or going to Atlantic City and spending their money there.

Neeb also said that she has detected no political meddling in the board's decision-making, despite critics' allegations.
The Gaming Control Board scheduled 16 days of hearing in nine places in order to get public input. There are 14 licenses to operate up to 61,000 slot machines ready for distribution. The licenses allow up to 5,000 slot machines and cost about $50 million, except for resort licenses which allow up to 500 slot machines and cost $5 million.