So proclaimed the headline in a recent New York Times article. The sub heading said; "First Woman in the Job Is a Former Lobbyist and Has No Experience in Overseeing Gamblng."

Linda M. Kassekert, has no previous experience in gambling or law enforement. Her predecessor, James Hurley, was on the commission for nine years after having served in the Senate and the state assembly for two decades. The acting chairman who followed Mr. Hurley, and who still sits on the commission ... is a former Marine who retired as an acting superintendent of the NJ State Police.

Ms. Kassekert's appointment was greeted with some words of warning about the industry from Edward Looney, executive director of the council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ. "The Casino Control Commission needs to fine-tune the industry," Mr. Looney said, "and to make sure the casinos do not run the commission."

He cited loose credit practices, increases in adolescent gamblers and an industry push toward "cashless" betting, a ticket system that he predicted would lead to greater losses by compulsive gamblers. "It's the new marketing tool to make it easier for people to feel they're not gambling with real money."

Hmmmm ... maybe if the NJ Casino Control Commission is deluged with letters from "players/collectors" they may take a second look at doing away with our tokens.... my Christmas wish.