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Casinos are Coming

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Photo via Hallwatch

The Casinos are Coming

In July of 2004, the PA legislature passed Act
71
which mandated licenses for 14 gambling facilities
in PA, two of those in Philadelphia.

Philly has NO say in where these two casinos
will be located or how they will be managed. While commonly
referred to as "slots" or "slot parlors"
in the media, are these Las
Vegas strip sized casinos
which will be placed in
largely residential neighborhoods.

 


This page is not currently being updated.

For the latest news
go to Hallwatch.

Fighting Back:

Several neighborhood alliances have formed in Philly to keep
out the casinos:

Multi-Community
Alliance



Neighbors Allied for the Best Riverfront




Fishtown Casino
Committee



Riverfront Communities United


Hallwatch has provided some of the best coverage on this
issue:

Resources:

Fax bank

Public Input
on Casinos


General Info

PA Gaming
Control Board

Articles:

New
casinos may harm Philadelphia home values


Residents
to city: we need your help with casinos


The
Gaming Out-of-Control Board


Residents
protest casinos, lack of time


Majority
supports casino at North Philly meeting


River
Residents ponder casino strategy

5 Proposed Locations:

Timeline:

June 28, 2006: Casino
rally
in Harrisburg.
June 2, 2006: Last day for comments
from communities to Gaming Control Board.
May 24, 2006: Public
design forum on casinos
at PA Convention Center.
May 20, 2006: Protest
at Foxwoods site.
April 10, 2006: Gaming
Control Board hosts public hearings
on the 5 potential
sites
March 10, 2006: Gaming Control Board
posts Local
Impact Reports
.
March 8, 2006: MCA refutes
TrumpStreet Impact Report
.
December 2005: Deadline for applicants
for Phila's 2 licences. 
October 27, 2005: Phila Gaming Advisory Task
Force presents final
report
.
January 2005: Mayor Street announces Phila
Gaming Advisory Task Force
which can offer recommendations
about proposed casinos but has no ultimate authority.
July 1, 2004: Act 71 Passed granting 14 Casino
licences in PA, 2 in Philadelphia

Discussions:

Local online discussion about the casinos:

Passyunk
Sqare Civic Association


Riverfront Communities
United


PhillyBlog

Fishtown.us

Articles:

Casinos, Development and the Boardwalk of Dreams





CasiNO!
Demands to be Heard in Harrisburg





Rally
Launches 'Casino Free Philadelphia' on Eve of Deadline for
Feedback



Casino
Design Forum Highlights Need for Riverfront Plan


Philadelphia,
This Is Your Wake Up Call!


South
Philly Says "NO!" to Casinos


CasiNO
campaign heats up in Fishtown, City-wide



Community
Members Express Outrage Over Proposed Casinos



Nicetown
Heats Up Over Casino Development Plans

Speak Out!

Use Hallwatch's FAXBANK
to contact local officials.

Effects of Gambling:

Gambling Addiction:

30-50%
of Income from Problem Earners



2 million (1%) of U.S. adults are estimated to meet criteria
for pathological gambling

Crime:

Study
finds systemic link b/w gambling and crime.

Smart Development and Growth:

City
Planning Commission Plans for Waterfront

Size Matters:

All of the venues in South Philadelphia's sport complexes
average 9 million visitors a year. Philly's two casinos will
average betwen 8 to 12 million visitors a year.