Letter: Gambling panel great source of information

Tuesday, June 22, 1999 | 10:08 a.m.

Despite the rhetoric of certain individuals stating the commission results will only collect dust and were a waste of money, it is evident while much is still unknown about the effects of gambling, a great amount of information and knowledge was realized by this group's actions.

The nine highly credentialed commissioners representing various ways of life (some related to gambling, some not) all acknowledged the significance of gambling in a community "socially, economically, and psychologically."

The critics of the commission raised the public's consciousness to the gambling phenomenon and to its negative consequences.

Meanwhile, its advocates expounded on the virtues of gambling. Both had valid points. All of the information will be forwarded to Congress for review and appropriate actions.

It should be noted that a number of positive practices relating to problem gambling have been initiated in Nevada already thanks to the presence of the commission.

While personally having concerns about the consequences of gambling's phenomenal growth in our society, I respect the commission's effort.

The fact that forums were made available for the public to exchange information and beliefs on such an important matter throughout the country shows the credibility of the commission's existence.

EDWARD M. ATCHISON