Casino-Free Philadelphia: Press Releases

Blatstein’s Song and Dance Won’t Change Casino Business of Exploiting Gambling Addiction

Dan — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 17:13:08 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephilly [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, October 24, 2012

As Bart Blatstein throws his “lavish launch party,” others, especially those who have to live next to the proposed casino, have been talking about how to stop it. So, on November 12th, Casino-Free Philadelphia will host a meeting, along with the national organization Stop Predatory Gambling, to discuss casino development in Philadelphia.

“Casinos profit from gambling addiction” says Casino-Free Philadelphia Board Member Dan Hajdo. “That’s why casinos are completely unacceptable; but it is also why casinos are never the road to economic development. Never have been, never will be.”

Mayor Nutter has lobbied for a second casino in Philadelphia, perhaps spurring the Philadelphia Gaming Control Board to call for applications earlier than expected, thus giving Blatstein the upper hand in the bidding for a second casino.

Citing the standard promises of “jobs” and “revenue,” Blatstein and his friends in government again ignore any mention of the costs of casinos.

“We’ve heard these kinds of promises before. But, bottom line, even if he can deliver, Blatstein’s casino would be another SugarHouse with whistles and bells; and we’re still waiting for the wonderful, magical effects of that casino.”

Atlantic City’s Revel casino provides a glimpse of one potential future. The Revel casino, in New Jersey Governor Christie’s words, was supposed to help transform Atlantic Casino in to “a resort that has gaming, not a gaming venue that could be a resort.” So far Revel has punched a $2.4 billion dollar hole in New Jersey’s budget as the state attempts to help Revel dig itself out of heavy debt.

“In a city where more people are more concerned about gambling addiction than anything else casinos bring,” says Hajdo; “and at a time we need real economic development more than ever, Bart Blatstein has shown he lacks the imagination, or the ability, or maybe just the willingness to do something worthy of our city.”

Casino-Free Philadelphia's mission is to stop casinos from coming to Philadelphia and close any that open. The social and economic costs of predatory gambling are plainly apparent from an industry reliant on addiction to survive. Visit us online at www.CasinoFreePhilly.org.

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Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Announces Licensing Decision, Fails to Protect Public

Dan — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:06:49 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephilly [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, July 11, 2012

Earlier today, July 11th, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced a call for applications for a second casino license in Philadelphia.

“A second casino would be no less predatory then SugarHouse” said Dan Hajdo, boardmember of Casino-Free Philadelphia. “Casinos profit off people suffering from gamblingaddiction. Rather then another application process, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Boardneeds to step up and provide real protection from the practices that create and stoke gamblingaddiction.”

Having long maintained that casinos cost more than any potential benefit, Casino-Free Philadelphia released a report last year showing that citizens of Philadelphia lost ten times theamount of money at SugarHouse than the city gained from its share of casino revenue in thecasinos first year.

The group has also called for changes in casino practices to protect patrons of the casino.

“They could eliminate Quicksand Credit (the practice of the casino loaning credit to players forunlimited amounts) for one thing,” said Hajdo. “But instead they only promote the industry,rather than regulate it.”

Casino-Free Philadelphia has cited research showing the harms of casino, and notes that thereare many things, such as offering free alcohol and remaining open 24/7, casinos do specially totake advantage of people with gambling addiction.

One possible protection, the Self-Exclusion list (a form that allows gamblers to excludethemselves from casinos) could be useful. Yet casinos do not make this known and Casino-Free Philadelphia maintains that their contact with patrons shows few if any likely know aboutthis provision.

“Even easier then banning quicksand credit,” Hajdo adds, “the PGCB could allow patrons tosign up for the Self-Exclusion List right at the casino, require the casino to post that information,and require gaming board representatives to seek out an help those showing signs of gamblingaddiction.”

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has implemented no new protections since it wascreated.

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Costs of Casino Detailed in Casino-Free Philadelphia Briefing

Casino-Free Philly — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:03:56 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephilly [dot] org, (267) 971-0937; Kaytee Riek, kaytee [at] CasinoFreePhilly [dot] org, 267-334-6984

PHILADELPHIA, September 20, 2011

Nearly one year after SugarHouse casino opened, a briefing released by Casino-Free Philadelphia shows the costs to city residents in financial loss, personal indebtedness, and crime outweigh the benefits by 10 to 1.

"The numbers show a clear loss for Philadelphia and its residents," said Kaytee Riek, director of Casino-Free Philadelphia. "SugarHouse has done nothing more than siphon money out of the city to send to Chicago investors, and left Philly residents and the city to clean up the mess," Riek said.

View Casino-Free Philadelphia's report on SugarHouse.

The report shows that people have lost over $232 million at SugarHouse through August. Philadelphia gained a little over $10 million in taxes and other revenue, while their investors have made more than $54 million in profit.

"Especially considering half the losses come from Philadelphia residents alone, SugarHouse hasn't brought in as much new revenue as was promised. It's merely redistributed the money from low and middle class people of Philadelphia to extremely rich people in Chicago and elsewhere," said Riek.

In addition, the briefing points out that as many as 500 SugarHouse visitors received "quicksand credit," or credit issued by the casino only 30 minutes after a gambler requests it for as much as double what's in a gambler's bank account.

Jobs at SugarHouse are non-union, and have gone disproportionately to white males. Meanwhile, the number of jobs lost through displacement is unknown although Fredrick Murphy of Temple University estimates as many as 3.5 jobs would be lost for every one job created by SugarHouse.

Ninety-four instances of crimes have occurred on or near SugarHouse, an area that was once a vacant lot with little crime.

The briefing notes as well that the long-term costs of SugarHouse, including increased rates of addiction, bankruptcies, embezzlement, and suicide, are still unknown.

"The real costs of SugarHouse fall under the radar and fall most heavily on those suffering from Pathological and Problem Gambling and on their families," said Dan Hajdo, board member of Casino-Free Philadelphia. "Those costs, which are disproportionately experienced by minorities and low-income households, can't be added up easily. And they can't be justified at all," said Hajdo.

Read the SugarHouse one-year report from Casino-Free Philadelphia.

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Casino-Free Philadelphia Refuses to Testify on Aimless House Bill 65

Casino-Free Philly — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:29:34 +0000

Philadelphians Call on Legislature to Drop Provision for Additional Predatory Casinos in City

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephilly [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, February 24, 2011

Casino-Free Philadelphia will not testify at the House Gaming Oversight Committee's hearing on House Bill 65 held today at City Hall, and has initiated a petition by residents opposing any new casinos in Philadelphia.

House Bill 65 proposes putting up, potentially, two Category 2, stand-alone slots licenses, for auction and allows the bidder to select a location anywhere in the state. Those licenses include a Category 1 "racino" license the bill converts to a Category 2 license as well as the revoked Foxwoods license once the pending appeal is resolved.

"This bill will not guarantee that Philadelphia will not have a second casino," said Dan Hajdo, board member and a spokesperson of Casino-Free Philadelphia. "It will not improve the lives of Philadelphians. Real change is going to come from the people of Philadelphia, from the demands of communities targeted and impacted by the casinos."

In a meeting with representatives of the No Casino In the Heart of Our City coalition, State Rep. Mike O'Brien (D-Phila.) stated that his purpose in supporting the bill is to ensure Philadelphia does not get another casino. Rep. O’Brien is a sponsor of the bill and member of the Gaming Oversight Committee.

"We're glad that Rep. O’Brien wants to make sure Philadelphia doesn't get another casino and invite him to sign the petition at NoMorePhillyCasinos.org," said Hajdo. "Casinos exploit mental illness for profit. The duty of the state is to prevent that sort of harm, not to ask for its cut. The legislature should simply eliminate any remaining licenses."

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60 Minutes Interview Sparks Visit to SugarHouse Casino for Answers

Casino-Free Philly — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:24:22 +0000

As Gov. Rendell Admits Casinos Profit Off Addicted Gamblers

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephilly [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, January 11, 2011

A group of concerned citizens organized by Casino-Free Philadelphia will visit SugarHouse casino Thursday at 5:30 PM to ask Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board representatives and casino management to respond to issues raised by CBS's "60 Minutes" episode on gambling that aired on Sunday, Jan. 9.

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 13, 5:30 PM
WHERE: SugarHouse Casino, 1001 N. Delaware Avenue

Philadelphians will ask Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board representatives, (who have an office inside the casino), and casino management for information necessary to determine if sufficient precautions are in place to protect those addicted to gambling, and for information necessary for the state of Pennsylvania to determine the effects of casinos on its citizens' mental health.

"The evidence that slot machines are addictive is clear," said Lily Cavanagh, Organizing Director of Casino-Free Philadelphia. "What the interview showed us is that Gov. Rendell admits the state of Pennsylvania, through the casinos, is purposely going after the paychecks of addicted gamblers to raise revenue. That's what he called one of 'the upsides' of gambling."

In the "60 Minutes" interview, Gov. Rendell states that a "downside" to gambling is that "some people will lose their paycheck." He then quickly states, however, that "these people would lose their paycheck anyway" in Atlantic City or elsewhere, and that it should be Pennsylvania that benefits from their loss.

"It makes it hard to believe that real protections for gambling addicts are in place," Cavanagh said, "especially since neither the Gaming Control Board nor SugarHouse have published any specific plans for protecting gambling addicts."

The "60 Minutes" episode that aired Sunday presented evidence that slot machines produce symptoms of physical withdrawal similar to that of drug addicts. Natasha Schull, a professor at MIT, detailed some of the reasons slot machines have higher addictive properties than other forms of gambling.

Twenty percent of gambling addicts attempt suicide.

"The governor callously wrote off people suffering from a serious mental illness, along with their families and friends, and this makes the cold, hard facts of casino gambling clear," said Dan Hajdo, a Casino-Free Philadelphia board member. "Casinos profit off addiction, and the state is saying 'where's my cut.' Government should be protecting the health of its citizens, not asking how to make money off the mentally ill."

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Gaming Board Gives Philadelphia A Victory, Revokes Foxwoods’ License

Casino-Free Philly — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 19:36:01 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephilly [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

Harrisburg, Pa., December 16, 2010

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today voted 6–1 to revoke Foxwoods’ gaming license. After twice tabling a motion to revoke, the board granted the Office of Enforcement and Compliance motion filed in April.

“This is a victory for the people of Philadelphia,” said Lily Cavanagh, Director of Casino-Free Philadelphia. “Revoking the license is the first step in eliminating a second license for Philadelphia entirely.”

The Foxwoods group had recently negotiated a deal with Harrah’s, but failed to produce commitments for 85% of the $275 million needed for “Phase One” of the project, which is a scaled down version of the original phase one from the original proposal in 2007.

“The finances weren’t there for Foxwoods because we have delayed this project for 4 years,” says Dan Hajdo, a Casino-Free board member, “The more exposure Philadelphia has to the predatory tactics of SugarHouse, combined with the costs of crime and addiction, the more support there will be to not only eliminate a second license, but limit the predatory tactics of all casinos across the state”

Foxwoods’ proposal includes substantial changes from the original proposal, cutting floor space and number of slot machines to nearly one third the original size with no commitment to expand. While the original proposal included a commitment of $300 million to children’s charities over the next ten years, the current proposal includes no such commitment.

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Casino-Free Philadelphia Brings Voice of Philadelphians to Gaming Control Board Hearing in Harrisburg

Casino-Free Philly — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 23:05:26 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephilly [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, December 15, 2010

On Dec. 16, members of Casino-Free Philadelphia will present comments from over fifty Philadelphians to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board hearing in Harrisburg.

After twice deferring a decision on revocation of Foxwoods’ license, the board will again take up the motion for revocation at the Dec. 16 hearing. Members of Casino-Free Philadelphia will speak during the public comments portion of the hearing.

“The people of Philadelphia will tell the Board that predatory gambling doesn’t belong in our city; they will tell the board to act with integrity and revoke Foxwoods’ license,” said Lily Cavanagh, Organizational Director for Casino-Free Philadelphia.

In April of this year, the board’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance recommended that Foxwoods’ license be revoked for failure to comply with board orders, failure to comply with its statement of conditions, failure to maintain suitability for licensure, and inability to be operational by the Board imposed deadline of May 29, 2011.

“Philadelphians are speaking for their city against the crime, addiction, and poverty created by casinos,” said Dan Hajdo, a member of the board of directors of Casino-Free Philadelphia. “So far the board has shown it only listens to the governor and his friends. If they listened to the people of Philadelphia they would revoke the license and not rebid.”

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Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Fails Again to Revoke Foxwoods' License

Casino-Free Philly — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:06:05 +0000

Casino-Free Philadelphia Calls on Commissioners to Meet with Philadelphia Residents

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephilly [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, November 18, 2010

Today, at a meeting in Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has, for a second time, tabled a motion to revoke Foxwoods’ casino license until Dec. 16.

“Since the Board failed to meet in Philadelphia, at least four members of the Board should meet with citizens of Philadelphia before the Dec. 16 meeting,” said Lily Cavanagh, Organizational Director for Casino-Free Philadelphia. “The proposed casino impacts our lives directly, we pay the costs of predatory gambling. Give Philadelphians a voice and this license will be revoked.”

In April of this year, the Board’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance recommended revocation of Foxwoods’ license. The board deferred decision on that motion at a meeting on the 27th of October.

At the meeting today, after a motion to revoke was put on the table, Commissioner McCabe put forth a motion to delay decision again until the 16th.

“This decision yet again reflects the kind of political favoritism we’ve come to expect from the PGCB over the past four years,” said Dan Hajdo, spokesperson and member of the Board of Directors of Casino-Free Philadelphia. “The Gaming Board’s own lawyers have recommended revocation, yet the Board has not yet acted to revoke the license. A deadline should be a deadline, even for friends of the governor.”

Foxwoods would be required to submit, completed and signed, a number of documents by Dec. 10, including definitive financing documents, applications licensing, motion of intent, motion of transfer, and any structural changes within the organization.

“Foxwoods today missed yet another deadline with no consequences,” Hajdo said. “What we need in the next legislative session is a clean sweep of the Board so we can get decisions in the public interest, not the casinos’ interest.”

Foxwoods was originally given a license to operate slots in May of 2008. Since that time the Foxwoods group has struggled to find financing and an operator for the proposed casino in South Philadelphia.

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Philadelphians Hand Deliver Demand for a Hearing in Philadelphia on Foxwoods

Casino-Free Philly — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:41:14 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephilly [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, November 17, 2010

On Nov. 18, Philadelphians will hand deliver their arguments demanding a fully open hearing in Philadelphia on Foxwoods’ license to each voting member of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board at their meeting in Harrisburg.

At the meeting, the board will announce its decision on whether they will pass summary judgement revoking Foxwoods’ license, hold a hearing, or pass on any decision.

“If the Gaming Control Board actually listened to the people of Philadelphia they would revoke Foxwoods’ license and not re-bid,” said Lily Cavanagh, Organizing Director for Casino-Free Philadelphia.

In April, the Gaming Board’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance issued a recommendation to revoke Foxwoods license. In a meeting at the end of last month, the Board deferred decision on a summary judgment to revoke until the Nov. 18 meeting.

“The people of Philadelphia are the ones who have to deal with the damage caused by predatory gambling,” said Dan Hajdo, spokesperson for Casino-Free Philadelphia. “We’re the ones that have to pay for the increased crime, the increased costs of policing, and the costs of increased gambling addiction. We should have a say in this process.”

The Nov. 18 meeting is currently scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Temple University Harrisburg in Strawberry Square, room 246/248 in Harrisburg, PA.

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Fourth Casino Town Watch Held At SugarHouse Casino

Casino-Free Philly — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:34:09 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephilly [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, November 12, 2010

At noon on Saturday the 13th, citizens will conduct a Casino Town Watch at SugarHouse casino. This is the fourth watch organized by Casino-Free Philadelphia.

The Casino Town Watch will patrol the parking lots, casino grounds, and the surrounding neighborhood. The patrol will meet outside the corner of Frankford and Allen street at noon, patrol for one hour and meet again for a half-hour debriefing.

“We know casinos can’t be trusted to provide security and, unfortunately, we know casinos bring more crime along with a host of other problems. And, especially on a tight budget, the police can’t be everywhere. So we’ve started the Casino Town Watch to help keep the neighborhood safe for both residents and visitors,” said Lily Cavanagh, Organizing Director for Casino-Free Philadelphia.

The Casino Town Watch has been building membership and experience since the first watch on SugarHouse’s opening day.

In response to the recent attacks on patrons, Cavanagh said “Even when you’ve seen the research, the statistics and predictions, when you read a story like this, your heart just sinks. You hate to see it.”

“We’ve been getting a feel for the area, the issues and the challenges involved with a Casino Town Watch,” said Dan Hajdo, spokesperson and Board Member for Casino-Free Philadelphia. “Over the next few months we will be reaching out to the neighborhood more and expanding the program.”

Members of the press are invited to participate as members of the Casino Town Watch or meet with the watch before they patrol.

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Casino-Free Philadelphia Demands Foxwoods License Be Revoked

Casino-Free Philly — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:08:07 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephilly [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, October 26, 2010

Citizens of Philadelphia today called on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to revoke Foxwoods’ casino license for the city. Casino-Free Philadelphia, which organized the call-in day, is demanding the board take its responsibility seriously and hold Foxwoods accountable.

“Four years after they were awarded the license, after countless delays, excuses, and ‘second chances,’ Foxwoods still hasn’t worked out final plans for construction let alone a final deal for financing. Philadelphia doesn’t need one casino — let alone two. It’s time for the PGCB revoke Foxwoods’ license and the legislature to remove the second license entirely,” said Lily Cavanagh, Organizing Director for Casino-Free Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, in SugarHouse's opening week, its revenues were third from the bottom for the entire state, dropping more than $850,000 in the second week and retreating another $25,000 in the third. The poor performance testifies against building another casino.

“This is a case of outrageously obvious political favoritism. Different rules apply for friends of the governor and big campaign donors. Led by handpicked representatives of Governor Rendell, the gaming control board has let Foxwoods’ shenanigans go on for four years. It’s time to revoke the license, period,” said Dan Hajdo, spokesperson for Casino-Free Philadelphia.

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Casino-Free Philadelphia Launches Casino Town Watch

Casino-Free Philly — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:45:19 +0000

Community Safety Project Will Expose, Protect Against Predatory Practices

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephilly [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, September 23, 2010

Community members from around the city will join Casino-Free Philadelphia in launching a new campaign to shut down SugarHouse at 12:30 pm on Thursday, Sept. 23 at the SugarHouse casino site. At 1:30 pm, the same moment SugarHouse opens their doors, they will hold the first Casino Town Watch. Philadelphians will take part in the first town watch, helping to ensure the safety of their neighbors from SugarHouse’s predatory tactics.

WHEN: 12:30 PM, Thursday, September 23

WHERE: Main Entrance to SugarHouse, Corner of Frankford and Delaware Aves

“We're providing a model for what our city should do to keep its residents safe,” said Lily Cavanagh, a town watch organizer and director for Casino-Free Philadelphia. “Casinos will never sincerely work to reduce addiction, as addicts are their most profitable customers. We believe this casino needs to be held accountable to the community, and it can only remain accountable if we document its consistently negative impacts.”

Community members plan to hold 50 such casino town watches during SugarHouse’s first year open.

In addition, on Thursday Casino-Free Philadelphia will present a community vision for what will replace SugarHouse. A 1000-square foot mural, painted by hundreds of different Philadelphians and representing their community vision, will be on display.

“SugarHouse relies on predatory tactics to make a profit, but our communities have a different vision” said Dan Hajdo, an organizer with Casino-Free Philadelphia. “With the casino town watch, we’re bringing one part of this vision into practice — a community in which neighbors look out for one another.”

“We will be holding SugarHouse accountable to the community in which it resides by documenting its consistently negative impacts,” said Cavanagh. “Without slots on credit, 24/7 alcohol service and the other ways it preys on our neighbors, SugarHouse becomes a loser for owner Neil Bluhm and investors. The casino town watch will protect Philadelphians in the short term, and serve to fight SugarHouse casino in the long term.”

A second casino town watch will take place on Thursday evening, beginning at 6:00 PM.

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Memorial Service Presents Stark Contrast to SugarHouse Event

Casino-Free Philly — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 05:36:14 +0000

Media Advisory

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, September 16, 2010

Casino-Free Philadelphia will host a Memorial Service for our city on Monday, Sept 20th at 7pm. Leaders of faith communities will help us mark the occasion. In a candle lit ceremony, speakers will voice their personal stories of loss as well as sadness for the individuals who will lose their savings, their houses, and even their lives once SugarHouse opens.

WHEN: Monday, September 20th, 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Shackamaxon and Delaware Avenue, in front of the main entrance to the casino

"The statistics on suicide related to gambling addiction don’t tell the whole story of pain and loss from predatory gambling. But they do tell us what to expect in Philadelphia; as gambling addiction increases, more of our neighbors will lose their lives while billionaire Neil Bluhm pockets their money," said Dan Hajdo, spokesperson for Casino-Free Philadelphia.

Worried about their families, their businesses, and their city, Philadelphians have fought to hold off SugarHouse. With the casino set to open, two and a half years behind schedule, residents from all over the city feel a sense of loss.

“Everyone knows, only the House wins at a casino. The city loses. We will be marking what's been lost — real economic development rather than a job-killing predatory business, a riverfront that benefits the community, politicians who represent their constituents,” said Lily Cavanagh, Director for Casino-Free Philadelphia.

On Thursday the 23rd, during the SugarHouse ribbon cutting ceremony, Casino-Free Philadelphia will present its own plan for the riverfront once SugarHouse goes bankrupt and launch its campaign to shut down the casino.

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PA Gaming Control Board Files Complaint to Revoke Foxwoods Casino License

Casino-Free Philly — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:10:16 +0000

Continues to Ignore Public Opposition to Predatory Casino in Any Form

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 971-0937; or Lily Cavanagh, (401) 742-0587

Harrisburg, Pa., April 29, 2010

Amidst more than two dozen Philadelphians calling out “revoke, don’t rebid,” the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s enforcement arm today filed a complaint to revoke the license of Foxwoods casino in South Philadelphia. Despite its direct impact on citizens of Philadelphia, questions from the public were neither solicited nor accepted by the board.

Foxwoods will have 30 days to respond to the PGCB’s complaint, at which point additional hearings will be scheduled, from which public input will continue to be excluded.

“We came to Harrisburg to demand that the license be revoked and not re-issued, because predatory gambling has no place in Philadelphia,” said Lily Cavanagh, organizing director for Casino-Free Philadelphia. “The board, unfortunately, has let down the public once again — despite its ‘complaint,’ it’s clear they have yet to recognize the predatory nature of any casino proposal.”

Casino profits depend on cultivating addiction among those who can least afford it, which creates poverty, increases crime and tears apart families and communities. Slot machines are particularly designed to take advantage of those at risk of gambling addiction; but the casino’s predatory tactics include 24/7 operations, free alcohol, and credit lines issued by the casino on slots as well as table games.

A recent report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia concludes, “the incidence of casino taxes on consumers (or households) is likely” to take more from low-income residents than higher income residents.

“This demonstrates that Philly is not going to benefit from predatory casinos,” Cavanagh said, “and extending the drowning Foxwoods project any longer is not in the best interest of Philadelphians. Foxwoods’ permit needs to be revoked, permanently — as well as SugarHouse’s.”

Philadelphians who are opposed to the Foxwoods license can add their names to the Casino-Free Philadelphia petition, “Revoke, Don’t Rebid,” online at www.CasinoFreePhila.org/RevokeFoxwoods or at 718 Market Street.

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Casino-Free Philadelphia Tells Wynn 'You're Not Welcome'

Casino-Free Philly — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:44:10 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, March 2, 2010

Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 3, dozens of supporters members of Casino-Free Philadelphia will travel by on a bus to Harrisburg to present Steve Wynn and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board with their views on Wynn’s proposal to build a casino in South Philadelphia. They will make it clear that Wynn’s proposal is no improvement, and even worse than the failed Foxwoods proposal.

Where: Public Utility Commission, Keystone Bldg., Hearing Room One, Harrisburg, PA

When: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 3

"We'e going to give Steve Wynn a welcome he'll never forget," said Lily Cavanagh, Executive Organizer of Casino-Free Philadelphia. "Casino-Free Philadelphia cannot imagine a worse business owner; or a worse predatory industry."

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board made it clear that the Foxwoods box-store casino, which would eventually include a hotel, was not acceptable. Yet Wynn’s proposal leaves out everything except a box-store casino with sprawling parking lots. Wynn’s only mention of troubled location referred to “Italians and Jews ... ethnic group[s] that [like] to play craps and gamble.”

“When Wynn told investors that he ‘love[s] being only two blocks away from a Vietnamese neighborhood’ and that how happy was his “old friends -- the Italians and Jews,” were “only ten minutes away,” you could almost see him salivate over the possibility of having a casino closer to residential neighborhoods than any other casino in the United States. Apparently he’s tired of building destination resorts and now he’s ready to enter the most predatory aspects of gambling – the convenience casino. He’s sucked as much money as he can out of Vegas, now he’s ready to prey strictly on Philadelphians and suck money out of our economy,” said Dan Hajdo, spokesperson for Casino-Free Philadelphia.

For an audio clip of Mr. Wynn describing how his casino would prey on locals, see this article in Philadelphia Citypaper.

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SugarHouse 13 Found 'Not Guilty'

Casino-Free Philly — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:41:50 +0000

Verdict a Victory for Entire City, Casino-Free Philadelphia Says

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, February 16, 2010

Today, Judge Dugan found 13 anti-casino activists "not guilty" on charges of failure to disperse, disorderly conduct, and criminal conspiracy. The activists were arrested on Sept. 29, 2009, for demonstrating against casinos by lining the entrance to the SugarHouse casino construction site.

"This verdict is a victory, not just for the defendants, but for the entire city of Philadelphia, and for citizens all over the nation that are fighting casinos," said Dan Hajdo, spokesperson for Casino-Free Philadelphia.

"These defendants put their bodies and their liberty on the line for their city," Hajdo said, "And they put casino supporters and investors on notice: The fight against casinos is just getting started. Save yourselves some money and save the taxpayers some money. Get out now."

All Philadelphia residents, the Sugarhouse 13 range in age from 25 to 72 and include several grandparents, two members of the clergy, several public school teachers, and veterans of the civil rights movement. Each defendant testified on her or his own behalf.

The trial helps put names and faces to a growing movement in Philadelphia and across the country, and highlights the reasons for this movement. The movement opposing casinos "is not about gambling. It's about stopping a predatory industry, the most predatory industry in America" said Les Bernal, head of the national group Stop Predatory Gambling. Casinos cultivate addiction because they depend upon addicts for their profits.

Research shows the presence of casinos in a community generates the need for more police, as well as criminal justice and addiction services; so the casinos will cost Philadelphia more than any revenue they may generate.

Far from creating jobs, the experience of other cities show casinos often result in a net loss of jobs when competition from casinos causes local businesses to close.

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SugarHouse 13 to Be Tried on Tuesday

Casino-Free Philly — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:14:54 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, February 15, 2010

On Tuesday, thirteen activists for Casino-Free Philadelphia will be tried at the Criminal Justice Center, 13th and Filbert Streets, in connection with a Sept. 29, 2009, demonstration at the SugarHouse casino construction site. The trial is scheduled to begin 9:00 a.m. and is expected to end between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. Supporters will gather at Arch Street Methodist Church, at 55 North Broad Street, from 9:00 to 9:30 for a brief rally before proceeding to the court house.

"The trial will call attention to the costs of casinos, to the importance of using civil disobedience as a tool to fight social injustice, and the corrupt, undemocratic politics that have politicians doing the bidding of billionaires" said Dan Hajdo, spokesperson for Casino-Free Philadelphia.

A diverse group, each individual in the Sugarhouse 13 has their own, compelling story to tell about how they came to oppose casinos. All Philadelphia residents, the SugarHouse 13 in age from 25 to 72 and include several grandparents, two members of the clergy, and a few public school teachers, and veterans of the civil rights movement.

The defendants and other opponents of predatory gambling see social injustice in the fact that casinos depend on gambling addicts for profits, and the fact that poor people are the group most adversely affected when casinos are introduced into a community. They know research shows that the presence of casinos in a community generates the need for more police, as well as criminal justice and addiction services. They have seen the numbers that show casinos will cost the city more than any revenue they may generate. They worry building casinos often result in a net loss of jobs when competition from casinos causes local businesses to close.

"The SugarHouse 13 put their bodies on the line to keep Philadelphia casino-free," said Hajdo. "We are hoping that their trial will raise public awareness of the social and political injustices that sparked them into action."

The defendants were arrested for lining the entrance of the site and refusing to move. They were held for 12 hours and are charged with one felony, criminal conspiracy, and two misdemeanors, failure to disperse and disorderly conduct.

###

New Poll By Pew Shows No New Support for Casinos Despite PR Push

Casino-Free Philly — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:24:23 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, February 10, 2010

Yesterday, Feb. 9, the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Philadelphia Research Initiative released an opinion poll showing support for casinos remains unchanged since April and opposition to casinos dropped from 41% to 34%; but they offer no explanation in the report. Casino-Free Philadelphia believes the poll most likely reflects polling error, and the massive amounts of money casinos have spent on public relations.

“There are some problems with the poll, mainly the context of the questions,” said Dan Hajdo, spokesperson for Casino-Free Philadelphia, “but the latest casino PR assault makes it look like everyone’s going to Disney World, with magical tax cuts and jobs for everyone. In the real world, casinos cost more in addiction services, policing, and job loss when local businesses close than the tiny payoffs casinos might send to Harrisburg.”

The context of the questions about casinos is the main problem with the poll. The poll asks a long series of questions about service cuts and tax cuts, and ends with two questions on casinos. This primes the respondent to think about the promised tax cuts. Also, we also do not know if the change in percentages is statistically significant.

“Philadelphians don't have first-hand experience with casinos and the truth hasn’t gotten out yet, politicians and casinos have hidden it and” says Hajdo. “People who’ve read the research, and experienced the harm casinos bring are willing to put their bodies on the line; people like the 14 who were arrested in September and go to trial this upcoming Tuesday, the 16th.”

The defendants all have powerful stories about why they oppose casinos; stories that the city needs to hear.

###

Casino Opponents Hold Public 'Community Groundbreaking'

Casino-Free Philly — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Casino-Free Philadelphia to publicly protest SugarHouse's private groundbreaking

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephilly [dot] org, (267) 971-0937

PHILADELPHIA, October 7, 2009

Casino-Free Philadelphia ("CFP") will hold a press event and demonstration at the SugarHouse construction site tomorrow, just before and during the casino's ceremonial groundbreaking. The CFP event will take place outside the wire fence surrounding the property and will be open to the public, as opposed to the casino event, which will be inside a guarded fence and closed to all but invited guests.

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.

WHERE: The intersection of Frankford and Delaware Avenues

The demonstration will begin with brief remarks by community leaders who will also be available for interviews before and after their remarks. Demonstrators will display anti-casino banners and voice their opposition to SugarHouse. After the speeches, sidewalk chalk will be distributed and citizens will be invited to write down ideas for waterfront development that does not include casinos. Once the SugarHouse press event starts, organizers have told participants to watch for a "special surprise."

"Our public event will be held by community leaders and citizens of Philadelphia, and for Philadelphia. SugarHouse's private, fenced-off event will be held by politicians and Chicago developer Neil Bluhm, for Bluhm and for those politicians." says Dan Hajdo, a Casino-Free Philadelphia volunteer.

David McKenna, another volunteer and spokesperson for Casino-Free Philadelphia added, "Our vision for this stretch of waterfront involves uses that will benefit the city and its residents. The SugarHouse vision is a predatory industry exploiting our city, our friends, colleagues and families, with Neil Bluhm as the main beneficiary."

CFP has fought for and won greater transparency in the political process and has recently engaged in direct action that takes aim at a new target, the financial vulnerability of SugarHouse . Several weeks ago, CFP called on lenders such as PNC Bank to stop lending to the SugarHouse casino. On Sept. 29, wearing T-shirts that read "Bankrupting Casinos Before They Bankrupt Us," 14 protestors were arrested for blockading the entrance of the SugarHouse construction site while over 30 other members of CFP chanted slogans in support.

This morning, CFP presented officials at PNC Bank with CFP's newly issued "Snake Eyes" study, which details the economic reasons why SugarHouse will eventually fail. "Lending to SugarHouse is a bad idea," says Hajdo. "It amounts to the same sort of reckless, irresponsible investment that got us into the deepest economic slump since the Great Depression."

Speakers at the event will also describe the growing coalition of community groups joined together to oppose the predatory gambling trade, and they will present evidence to refute the claims of casino proponents. "Independent economists have concluded that for every one casino job created, three jobs are lost," says Hajdo. "All the data indicate that urban casinos are not good for local economies."

Casino-Free Philadelphia's mission is to stop casinos from coming to Philadelphia and close any that open. The benefits of casinos can never outweigh the social and economic costs from an industry reliant on addiction to survive. Visit us online at www.CasinoFreePhila.org.

###

Philadelphians Get Serious About SugarHouse

Casino-Free Philly — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000

14 Arrested for Blockading SugarHouse Construction Site; Activists Demand Neil Bluhm and SugarHouse Leave Philadelphia

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, dan [at] casinofreephilly [dot] org, (267) 971-0937; David McKenna, (215) 917-5640

PHILADELPHIA, September 29, 2009

Fourteen activists from Casino-Free Philadelphia were arrested this morning while blockading the SugarHouse construction site entrance as demonstrators cheered them on. Three police wagons took the Casino-Free protesters to the station house at 21st & Hamilton Streets for processing, and supporters await word on how soon the activists will be released.

UPDATE, Tues. 1:10 PM: We've received word that each activist will be charged with one count of "failure to disperse," a class two misdemeanor. We do not yet know when they'll be released. Our legal team is in constant contact with both those arrested and the city police.

UPDATE, Tues. 10:00 PM: All activists have now been released, but two additional charges were filed: trespassing (a second class-two misdemeanor) and "conspiracy"/disorderly conduct (a summary charge similar to a traffic ticket). We'll have a more detailed legal update on Wednesday.

Casino-Free Philadelphia spokesperson David McKenna said, "We've shown Neil Bluhm and SugarHouse, and their friends in Harrisburg, that we're prepared to do what we need to do in order to stop these casinos. We're here to defend our city against a predatory industry, and we're only getting stronger. As far as we know, this is the first action of this kind at a casino construction site, but we know it won't be the last. We'll keep fighting until Neil Bluhm and SugarHouse pull up stakes and get out of our city."

Casino-Free Philadelphia took action because politicians and investors haven't gotten the message yet. Even with the writing on the wall — in stark relief — about the casino industry's downward slide, financial institutions and city officials continue to ignore the facts. The fully trained team of blockaders and supporters demanded a halt to the ground-breaking of the SugarHouse site on the Delaware waterfront. The action's message was simple: "We are ready to bankrupt SugarHouse and its predatory accomplices before they bankrupt us."

The action is part of Casino-Free's newest In the Red campaign, which aims to persuade developers to abandon their plans for predatory gambling in Philadelphia. The campaign will show that the casinos, if not stopped, will inflict financial damage on families, communities, local businesses, and our city budget. And with recent reports of market saturation and dwindling casino revenues in several U.S. states, the banks who have committed to the SugarHouse loan package, including PNC Bank, stand to face a devastating wake-up call in the coming years.

Last week, Casino-Free Philadelphia supporters protested outside the Philadelphia headquarters of PNC Bank that is providing Neil Bluhm's casino with a ten million dollar loan. The terms of the full loan package have been sealed due to fears of ongoing protests against lending institutions making risky loans to junk bond projects like SugarHouse casino.

Concerned citizens told SugarHouse developer Neil Bluhm, his allies and lenders that a unified alliance is committed to stopping casinos in Philadelphia and to shutting down any that open. Ron Rubin and his partners will receive the same message if they move forward with Foxwoods anywhere in Philadelphia.

Campaign organizers formed two groups for the action. One group staged a direct, nonviolent demonstration; another rallied in solidarity. The action was the result of extended preparation and planning.

Lily Cavanagh, organizer and Casino-Free member, said, "We've requested an objective, independent study of the economic costs of these proposed casinos, and received nothing. We had a public process to develop our vision for the waterfront, which was ignored. When voters were disenfranchised in 2007, we gave citizens a free and fair election and their votes demonstrated overwhelmingly that casinos are not welcome in neighborhoods. Through people power we can achieve the outcomes that elected officials have let slip away."

###

Philadelphians Up the Ante

Casino-Free Philly — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:41:11 +0000

Plan to Protest Construction At Site of SugarHouse’s Future Bankruptcy

Media Advisory

Contact:

Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PHILADELPHIA, September 24, 2009

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 6 AM

Where: Proposed SugarHouse site, intersection of Delaware and Frankford Aves

Even with the writing on the wall — in stark relief — about the casino industry's downward slide, financial institutions and city officials ignore it. During the early morning of Sept. 29, a fully trained team from Casino-Free Philadelphia and its supporters will demand a halt to the ground-breaking of the SugarHouse site on the Delaware waterfront which has now been postponed to within the next two weeks. The action's message will be simple: "We are ready to bankrupt Sugarhouse and its predatory accomplices before they bankrupt us."

The action will be part of Casino-Free's newest In the Red campaign, which aims to persuade developers to abandon their plans for predatory gambling in Philadelphia. The campaign will show that the casinos, if not stopped, will inflict financial damage on families, communities, local businesses, and our city budget. And with recent reports of market saturation and dwindling casino revenues in several U.S. states, the banks who have committed to the SugarHouse loan package, including PNC Bank, stand to face a devastating wake-up call in the coming years.

On Sept. 29, concerned citizens will communicate to SugarHouse developer Neil Bluhm, his funders and lenders that a unified alliance is committed to stopping casinos in Philadelphia and to shutting down any that open. Ron Rubin and his partners will receive the same message if they move forward with Foxwoods anywhere in Philadelphia.

Campaign organizers have formed two groups for the action. One will stage a direct, non-violent demonstration; another will show solidarity. The action is the result of extended preparation and planning.

Lily Cavanagh, organizer and Casino-Free member, stated, "We've requested an objective, independent study of the economic costs of these proposed casinos, and received nothing. We had a public process to develop our vision for the waterfront, which was ignored. When voters were disenfranchised in 2007, we gave citizens a free and fair election and their votes demonstrated overwhelmingly that casinos are not welcome in neighborhoods. Through people power we can achieve the outcomes that elected officials have let slip away."

###

Citizens Call on PNC Bank to Lead the Way: Don't Lend to Neil Bluhm's Casino

Casino-Free Philly — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:53:11 +0000

Action is Kick Off for the New 'In the Red' Campaign

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PHILADELPHIA, September 15, 2009

Citizens opposed to predatory casinos proposed for Philadelphia will kick-off their newest campaign, In the Red, at the headquarters of PNC Bank on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 9 AM. Later that afternoon, the PA Gaming Control Board is expected to rubber-stamp the latest request of Chicago casino developer Neil Bluhm, to approve his risky lending package for the proposed SugarHouse casino on Philadelphia's historic riverfront. Details of the lending package have not been released by the board or Bluhm.

It is rumored that PNC Bank has lent Bluhm $15 million to help close the gap in financing he needs for the vastly scaled down project, which if built would consist of a large box surrounded by dozens of acres of surface parking.

Casino-Free Philadelphia's In the Red campaign aims to persuade casino investors Neil G. Bluhm (of SugarHouse) and Ronald Rubin (of Foxwoods) to abandon their plans for casinos in Philadelphia.

The campaign involves personalized actions designed to educate the public about how their two casinos, if not stopped, will inflict financial damage to families, communities, local businesses and our city budget. More and more people are waking up to what Bluhm’s and Rubin’s casinos truly would be: Part of a financially tanking predatory trade based on addiction that peddles false hope to those in desperate need.

With continuing pressure from citizens, through our In the Red campaign, Mr. Bluhm’s and Mr. Rubin’s involvement will be exposed as predatory, and the casinos they propose for Philadelphia will be driven out.

###

Philadelphia's Activists Beat Proposed Casinos Into Junk

Casino-Free Philly — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:50:57 +0000

Foxwoods Tribe and Billionaire Neil Bluhm Now Facing Junk Credit Ratings

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PHILADELPHIA, August 27, 2009

Nearly three years after obtaining their state gambling license, proposed Philadelphia casinos Foxwoods and SugarHouse have yet to obtain the necessary permits to build in the city — and now face increasingly desperate financial conditions. The delay in construction is due in large part to the mounting pressure from grassroots neighborhood organizations including Casino-Free Philadelphia, which has successfully prevented the construction of predatory casinos in residential communties and will continue to do so.

The Proposed Foxwoods Casino: 'Dire Financial Condition'

Foxwoods and local investor Ron Rubin want to build a slots parlor in Philadelphia. First proposed for the Delaware River in Pennsport, they have now indicated an intention to open a casino in the heart of the city on Market Street, on the edge of Chinatown. Facing angry citizens at every turn, the casino has not been able to obtain building permits and has been keeping very quiet about its intentions.

Now comes news that the Foxwoods tribe is in "dire financial condition" according to its own chairman, hemorrhaging money from its newly-finished $700 million expansion in Connecticut — just as the economy hits bottom. The tribe is in disarray and has no plan for how to survive. Yesterday, Standard & Poor’s reduced the tribe's credit, putting it on a "credit watch." The tribe is now at risk for defaulting on its loans.

"Casino-Free Philadelphia supporters are beaming because Foxwoods is scheduled to appear before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board on Friday and explain why it hasn't opened its casino yet," said Jethro Heiko, a founder of the group. "Foxwoods is in financial ruins and the board should put a stake through the casino's heart by revoking the gaming license," Heiko said.

The Proposed SugarHouse Casino: Junk Bond Status

SugarHouse casino's main investor is Chicagoan Neil Bluhm, who has tricked everyone into thinking he could do no wrong when it came to successful casino development. Now times are different, and Forbes magazine recently pushed Bluhm far down in its wealth rankings . He's lost 30% of his net worth in the past six months and Bluhm's "casino valuations [are] languishing as [the] economy tanks."

The SugarHouse casino itself — proposed for the historic Delaware River waterfront in the Northern Liberties and Fishtown communities of Philadelphia — is currently blocked by lawsuits and controversy and turning out to be a very risky bet. The new financing consists of a $180 million loan requiring SugarHouse to pay a whopping 12.9% interest rate. The lenders, to protect themselves in the event of a default, are requiring that Bluhm put up both the gaming license and the property as collateral.

Moody's Investors Service has given the $180 million loan and its probability of default "junk" status (PDF) — too risky to justify investment. According to Moody's, a junk rating is appropriate because of the following negative factors:

the start-up nature of the project
all risk is concentrated in a single property — for example, if traffic on Delaware Avenue is not managed well, SugarHouse's projected revenues will be at risk
the expected gambling competition in the area — Philadelphia Park casino's expansion, Valley Forge's slots parlor, Sands Bethlehem and the Mt. Airy casino
the economic recession continues to keep many people out of casinos

"What will happen when SugarHouse defaults on the loan and the lenders foreclose on the gaming license and the property?", asked Lily Cavanagh, an organizer with Casino-Free Philadelphia. Bluhm is currently petitioning the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to approve SugarHouse's new financing package and to substitute a new corporation to hold the gambling license.

"The board should conduct backgrounds checks on all the lenders — because when Bluhm goes belly-up, the lenders will be holding the license and, most likely, a vacant piece of land," Cavanagh said.

###

Activists To Hold Press Conference at Pittsburgh Rivers Casino Opening Day

Casino-Free Philly — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:30:30 +0000

Will Call on Casino Owner Neil Bluhm to Pull Plug on the Proposed Philadelphia Slots Parlor

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PITTSBURGH, August 6, 2009

At 11:30 am on Sunday, Aug. 9, Casino-Free Philadelphia will hold a press conference along with the Pittsburgh group No Dice to condemn the job-killing Pittsburgh casino as well as the casino proposed for Philadelphia. Casino-Free Philadelphia is launching a campaign against Neil Bluhm, the chief owner and developer of both Pittsburgh’s Rivers Casino and SugarHouse Casino proposed for Philadelphia.

Date: Sunday, August 9, 2009

Time: 11:30 AM

Place: Sidewalk outside the entrance of Rivers Casino Slots Parlor, North Point Street & Lighthill Street, Pittsburgh, PA

Bluhm, a billionaire real estate developer based in Chicago, is one of the largest donors and fundraisers for the Obama campaign and tries hard to show himself in a positive light by focusing on his charitable donations and his position as president of the Whitney Museum. His money, however, comes from exploiting low- to moderate-income earners and senior citizens. August 9 is the “grand opening” of the Rivers Casino.

The Philadelphia casino, originally slated for construction in December, 2007, has been delayed due to community opposition and uncertain financing. Bluhm and other backers recently asked the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to approve its financing package sight unseen.

“Casino-Free Philadelphia will go wherever necessary to call on Neil Bluhm to pull out of a casino he has been trying to build in Philadelphia on the historic riverfront,” said Jethro Heiko, a founder and leader of Casino-Free Philadelphia.

“Bluhm's casino would be a blight on the city of Philadelphia, killing jobs, blowing a hole in the city budget, and increasing crime, addiction and poverty in our great city,” added Heiko. Studies show that for every one job gained through a casino, three are lost. In addition, cities must pay tens of millions of dollars in new law enforcement costs, and local businesses suffer when family income is spent in a casino.

“It will destroy the close-knit residential neighborhood where Bluhm wants to build,” said Heiko.

The effort to build casinos in major cities such as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia is the tip of the spear of the predatory gambling trade in its effort to put casinos as close as possible to residential communities. If Bluhm were successful, Philadelphia would be the largest city in America with a casino. The industry is also targeting other major cities like Bluhm’s home of Chicago (where he has been granted a license to operate a casino near O’Hare Airport), as well as locations in Ohio, Massachusetts and Maryland.

"Philadelphia would instantly become the leader in this nationwide race to the bottom," said Heiko.

Background

Casinos built in local communities contribute to addiction problems and draw money away from local businesses. For instance, more than 70 percent of businesses in Natchez, Mississippi reported declining sales within a few months of the opening of that city's first riverboat casino. The number of independent restaurants in Atlantic City dropped from 48 the year casinos opened to only 16 in 1997. Within just four years of the casinos' arrival, one-third of the city's retail businesses had closed.

Studies show that for every one job gained through a casino, three are lost.

The Common Cause Education Fund recently released a report that showed that many elected officials, including Governor Ed Rendell, members of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and former state Sen. Vince Fumo have received millions in campaign contributions from the gaming industry during the years that Pennsylvania’s legislature considered legislation allowing slots parlors in the state, and the state Supreme Court upheld the resulting law allowing it.

Casino-Free Philadelphia has produced a report, "You Pay Even if You Don't Play," which shows that when criminal justice costs and lost wages in local businesses (among other costs) are included in the analysis, putting slot parlors in Philadelphia would result in the city suffering a net loss of at least $52 million each year. Casino-Free Philadelphia has also compiled fact sheets on the effects of casinos and gambling on the poor, local businesses and other groups.

Casino-Free Philadelphia and its allies are determined to fight any and all expansion attempts by the casino industry. We will prevent casinos from coming to Philadelphia and shut down any that open. Visit us online at www.CasinoFreePhila.org.

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Citizens Opposed to Philadelphia's Casinos to Gather at Fumo’s Sentencing

Casino-Free Philly — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:00:00 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PHILADELPHIA, July 14, 2009

Anti-casino activists will gather with signs saying, "FUMO GOT $400,000 FROM THE CASINO INDUSTRY. FUMO--WHAT'S THE DEAL?" outside of the James A. Byrne Federal Court House at 601 Market Street for the sentencing hearing of former State Senator Vincent Fumo on Tuesday, July 14th at 10 AM. Fumo, architect of Act 71, the law that brought slots casinos to Pennsylvania, was convicted of 137 charges and faces over a decade in federal prison.

Although he has not yet been indicted on corruption charges related to casinos, Fumo is one of at least 20 Pennsylvania politicians receiving large gambling industry contributions. Fumo wrote, introduced, and co-sponsored Act 71, PA’s slots law, which was passed by the Pennsylvania State Legislature in the middle of the night on July 4, 2004. He has received over $400,000 since 2001 from the casino industry, according to a report released last month by Common Cause Education Fund.

“Fumo rammed the slots bill through the Pennsylvania Legislature at the end of the session, passing it in the dead of night,” noted Casino-Free Philadelphia’s Dan Hajdo.

Casino-Free Philadelphia is fighting to stop casinos from being built in Philadelphia. Independent studies show that casinos draw hundreds of millions of dollars out of local businesses leading to a reduction in jobs and a net economic loss to host cities. “Take a look at Atlantic City, or Detroit, or Chester, Pennsylvania. Casinos don’t bring civic improvements, but they do bring a lot of money to politicians,” said Hajdo.

Fumo’s ability to raise money was a key component of his power; and casino interests were a key contributor, giving over $400,000 to his political campaigns and personal PAC. Governor Ed Rendell received over $1 million.

But if investors and lenders to the casinos are banking on more Vince Fumos to ensure their profits, they should think twice. “Philadelphians are watching; we have learned that casinos and corruption go together like raw sewage and rats; and we’re fighting back,” said Casino-Free Philadelphia founder Jethro Heiko.

Also on July 14, the PA House of Representatives’ Gaming Oversight Committee will rule on whether to allow up to 5 video poker machines in bars, taverns and restaurants, which could total up to 10,000 slot machines for Philadelphia spread across every neighborhood in the city.

Casino-Free Philadelphia is calling on State representative Dwight Evans (D) to return the campaign contributions he received from casino interests. Evans, representing Philadelphia’s 203rd legislative district and chair of the Appropriations Committee, was one of the top 20 recipients of money from casinos, garnering over $44,000 in contributions.

“So long as Evans takes money from casino interests and continues to support casino encroachment and expansion in Philadelphia he cannot be fully committed to healthy neighborhoods in Philadelphia,” said Hajdo.

###

Citizens Applaud Two Planning Commissioners Who Bucked Pressure and Voted No on SugarHouse

Casino-Free Philly — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:00:32 +0000

Planning Commissioner Calls Casino Complex a 'Dressed-Up Wal-Mart'

For Immediate Release

Contact:

David McKenna, (215) 917-5640

PHILADELPHIA, June 25, 2009

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission yesterday approved the development plan for a casino slots parlor on the Delaware riverfront by a vote of 4-2, despite raucous objection by community activists.

According to Casino-Free Philadelphia organizer Lily Cavanagh, speaking in front of the panel, "This hearing is a farce. A redesigned SugarHouse casino slots parlor, if built, would be a clear testament to poor city planning, assuming there's any planning going on at all."

Cavanagh and three other CFP speakers left large plastic bags full of fake money near the commissioners' table, a reminder to all present that key casino backers, in their effort to impose slots parlors on Philadelphia, have contributed large sums to the election campaigns of many state and local officials.

See images from the event.

The dissenting votes came from two heroic commissioners, Nancy Rogo Trainer and Natalia Olson de Savyckyj, both of whom argued that the Sugarhouse slots parlor design was wrong for the riverfront.

Trainer said that the approval of the slots parlor represented a "missed opportunity" to make good use of valuable riverfront land. She criticized the "suburban character" of the Sugar House layout. "It could be almost anywhere and not on the banks of the Delaware," she noted.

The plan calls for a sprawling single-level big box structure and a huge parking lot. Olson de Savyckyj, in a succinct dismissal of the design, referred to it as a "dressed-up Wal-Mart."

Cavanagh praised the two dissenters, saying, "We applaud Ms. Trainer and Ms. Olson de Savyckyi for having the courage to resist the pressure of the elected officials, who for numerous weeks have been singing the praises of the casino plans presented yesterday."

Casino-Free Philadelphia's attorney Paul Boni said, "This so-called one-story casino would actually be 60 feet tall" and will be surrounded by a "sea of surface parking."

Cavanagh added, "Our mission is to stop casinos from coming to Philadelphia and close any that open, and we will never stop fighting."

###

Anti-Casino Activists from Philadelphia and Across the US to Protest Inside Harrah's Chester, PA Casino on June 6

Casino-Free Philly — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:03:11 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Dan Hajdo, Casino-Free Philadelphia: (267) 971-0937

Spokespeople

Jethro Heiko, Casino-Free Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Bruce Barron, No Dice, Pittsburgh, PA
Ellen Somekawa, Asian Americans United, Philadelphia, PA
Les Bernal, StopPredatoryGambling.org (National Organization)
Robin Hynicka, Arch Street Methodist Church, Philadelphia, PA
Desire Grover, Delco Alliance for Environmental Justice, Chester, PA
Kathy Gilroy, anti-casino activist, Chicago, IL

Beat the House

When: Saturday, June 6, 2:15pm. Where: At the corner of Hinkson Street and Industrial Highway, Chester, PA (across from Harrah's Chester Casino)

PHILADELPHIA, June 3, 2009

On Saturday, June 6, opponents of casino gambling will go inside a slots parlor to take action on the casino's own turf. Advocates at the event, called Beat the House, will work in teams to demonstrate how the marketing of slots results in the cultivation of out-of-control gamblers, on whose backs the industry thrives. Anti-casino activists will also conduct a colorful and noisy picket outside the casino, Harrah's Chester Casino.

The effort to build two casinos in Philadelphia is the tip of the spear in the industry campaign to put casinos in major American cities. If they are successful, Philadelphia would be the largest city with casinos. The industry is also targeting other major cities like Pittsburgh and Chicago, as well as locations in Massachusetts and Maryland. "Philadelphia would instantly become the leader in this nationwide race to the bottom," said founder of Casino-Free Philadelphia, Jethro Heiko. "That's why representatives like Les Bernal, from the national group StopPredatoryGambling.org, and Bruce Bannon from NoDice in Pittsburgh are joining us."

The parlors remain open 24 hours a day, offer onsite check cashing, and maintain ATMs only a few steps from the slots machines, all to allow customers to drain their last savings, or "gamble to extinction," in the parlance of the industry. Even bars in the state are not open 24 hours a day. "These machines are a delivery device of addiction," said Heiko. An oft-stated rule in the industry is that 80% of business comes from 20% of customers -- addicted and problem gamblers.

These predatory casinos also draw money away from local businesses. For instance, more than 70 percent of businesses in Natchez, Mississippi, reported declining sales within a few months of the opening of that city's first riverboat casino. The number of independent restaurants in Atlantic City dropped from 48 the year casinos opened -- to only 16 in 1997. Within just four years of the casinos' arrival, one-third of the city's retail businesses had closed.

Casino-Free Philadelphia has produced a report, "You Pay Even if You Don't Play," which shows that considering criminal justice costs and lost wages in local businesses, among other costs, putting two slot parlors in Philadelphia would result in the City suffering a net loss of at least $52 million each year. Casino-Free Philadelpha has also compiled fact sheets on the effects of casinos and gambling on the poor, local businesses and other groups.

Studies show that for every one job gained through a casino, three are lost.

The tactics used by advocates at Beat the House can be replicated at any slots parlors, and Casino-Free Philadelphia hopes that Saturday's action can help motivate similar actions elsewhere. For years, investors of SugarHouse and Foxwoods have been trying to forcefully insert their proposed slots parlors into Philadelphia communities. As of Saturday, those investors will be put on notice that the people of Philadelphia are mobilizing direct actions to protect their beloved city. Casino-Free Philadelphia and its allies are determined to fight any and all expansion attempts by the casino industry.

The casino companies have enlisted the support of prominent politicians and investors in Pennsylvania, but Beat the House will shine a bright light on the state-sponsored predatory gambling trade. "The benefits of casinos can never outweigh the social and economic costs imposed by an industry that relies on addiction to survive," said Heiko.

"We're sending two messages on June 6," said Lily Cavanagh, Beat the House organizer with Casino-Free Philadelphia. "A message of defiance to the predatory gambling trade, and a message of support to Philadelphians who want to keep slot parlors out of their city."

Beat the House and its actions are part of an ongoing call for better decision-making for the city. "We're proud of our communities," said Casino-Free organizer Ivan Boothe, "so we demand good leadership, planning, and services for them. This doesn't include casinos and never will."

Background

Harrah's is leading purveyor of "convenience casinos" with 2/3 of profits coming from slot machines, and the vast majority of its slots profits coming from a very small percentage of its gamblers. Some of Harrah's success rests on a marketing model founded on its "Total Rewards" frequent-gambler card, a device that comprehensively tracks an individual's gambling activity and urges them to gamble more. In the industry's own language, this "Pavolovian approach" encourages gamblers to 'play until extinction" -- until they have no money left.

There is an easy way to determine the exact percentage of patrons who are addicted or problem gamblers. Through its loyalty card program, the slots parlor (such as Harrah's Chester) keeps detailed records on how often any particular gambler visits the casino, which machines they play, and most importantly, how quickly the gambler presses the button. The gamblers who press the button at very high rates of speed -- those are the addicts and the problem gamblers. We invite the media to demand that Harrah's release its database showing all of this information except for the name, address or identity of the gamblers (but including the zip code). Why shouldn't the public have access to this information. Who could it hurt?

Our opposition is a response to a national problem. Casinos have expanded drastically as casino owners look for new markets and state and local governments look for a free lunch. State-sponsored gambling has already put in operation close to 800,000 slot machines and video poker games -- one machine for every 395 Americans.

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Philadelphians Geared Up to Beat the House on June 6

Casino-Free Philly — Fri, 22 May 2009 09:19:03 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Media Coordinators: Dan Hajdo, (267) 971-0937 and David McKenna, (215) 917-5640; Spokesperson: Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PHILADELPHIA, May 20, 2009

On June 6th, Philadelphia residents and anti-casino activists from other cities and states will converge on a nearby slots parlor to call attention to predatory practices used by the gambling trade. Participants at this historic event, called Beat the House, will demonstrate how a slots parlor is specifically designed to cultivate out-of-control gamblers, on whose backs the industry thrives.

The casino companies have obtained the support of some prominent politicians and investors as they try to force two slots parlors into Philadelphia; but Beat the House will show the state-sponsored, predatory gambling trade that, rather than the house, it’s a vibrant community that always wins.

“Beat The House will send two messages,” said Lily Cavanagh, an organizer with Casino-Free Philadelphia, the grass roots group sponsoring the event. “To the predatory gambling trade we’re saying, ‘Your predatory tactics are unacceptable.’ To those who want to keep slot parlors out of Philadelphia and their cities and towns, we’re saying, ‘Here is a way to expose the industry while hitting hard against pro-casino politicians.’”

Beat the House and its actions are part of an ongoing call for better decision-making for the city. “We’re proud of our city and our communities,” said Casino-Free organizer Ivan Boothe, “so we demand good leadership, planning, and services, which is the antithesis of having slots parlors in our city.”

Event organizers are asking interested individuals to go to www.BeatTheHouse.org and sign up for one of the training sessions scheduled in the days before the June 6 event.

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Casino-Free Philadelphia Boycotts Farce of Casino Oversight Hearings

Ivan — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:54:41 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PHILADELPHIA, May 6, 2009

Casino-Free Philadelphia did not participate in today's Gaming Control Board farcical hearing in protest of ongoing corruption scandals and the collusion of the Board with the industry it is supposed to regulate. To date, the PGCB has not put in place any meaningful protections for Philadelphia and its citizens from predatory gambling.

At hearing after hearing the Board uncritically accepts pre-packaged presentations from casino operators and does their bidding while completely ignoring legitimate citizen concerns.

Rather than accept whatever the casino investors say, the Gaming Control Board should revoke Sugarhouse casino's license because the casino does not have the financing to build even their scaled down slots parlor on Philadelphia's Delaware Riverfront.

The law would have prohibited SugarHouse from receiving a license in 2006 and the same law prohibits any license extension; but this Board does not care about the law. Casino-Free Philadelphia decided to not testify at today's hearing as the Board and its proceedings are not legitimate, whether they take place in Harrisburg or our great city. Casino-Free Philadelphia representatives are available for comment.

Casino-Free Philadelphia will continue to inform and engage concerned citizens in effective approaches to challenge predatory gambling’s attempt to invade Philadelphia. We encourage the public and the media to attend our upcoming events: the next Town Hall in West Philly on May 21st and Beat the House on June 6th at a slots parlor near Philadelphia.

Today's Gaming Control Board hearing continues the long history of corruption in the fledgling PA casino industry. It has been more than three years since the Board held any hearings in Philadelphia. Since then, there has been a shameful parade of corruption, including:

The former Board Chair, Tad Decker, left the Board to become CEO of the law firm representing the proposed Sugarhouse casino.
The Board sued to remove a voter-initiated referendum which would have allowed Philadelphians some say on the location of the proposed casinos.
Neil Bluhm, chairman of SugarHouse received a second casino license despite the prohibition in the Gaming Act.
The Board has licensed two convicted felons including the Chairman of Foxwoods, a convicted drug dealer, who is behind the proposed Market Street casino.
Philadelphia casino investors made numerous illegal contributions to politicians despite the prohibition in the Gaming Act.
The architect of the Gaming Act, former Senator Vincent Fumo, convicted of corruption in federal court, currently awaits sentencing hearings to determine his fate.

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Beat the House Event Planned for June 6 at PA Slots Parlor

Casino-Free Philly — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:43:01 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PHILADELPHIA, April 16, 2009

On Saturday, June 6, 2009, Casino-Free Philadelphia will put the casino industry on notice. Residents of Philadelphia and allies from around the country will cover new ground — inside an existing, operating casino in the region — and conduct ourselves in ways that focus the public’s attention on the heart of the controversy.

The event, called Beat the House, will use various tactics that can be replicated at any casino anywhere in the country — including the two casinos proposed for Philadelphia, SugarHouse and Foxwoods, whether they open in our city or elsewhere. Working in teams, participants in this event will enter a nearby slots parlor and use a series of actions to expose the predatory practices used by the gambling trade.

"We will enter the casino as any other citizen is allowed to do and, inside, we will take actions designed to ask the hard questions the industry does not want to answer," said Ivan Boothe, an organizer with Casino-Free Philadelphia. "Our supporters will engage the industry on its home turf to highlight the predatory practices that would come to Philadelphia if the elected officials dare to push forward the plans for SugarHouse or Foxwoods, the two casinos proposed for Philadelphia."

Casino-Free Philadelphia has been fighting to keep casinos out of Philadelphia since 2006. Its current campaign, the "Declaration of Independence from Casinos," seeks to embolden at least one elected official representing Philadelphians to publicly adopt the position that casinos do not belong in our city. The June 6 action will remind politicians, the casino industry and their investors that casinos are not welcome in Philadelphia.

"We are putting the industry on notice: the citizens will not tolerate casinos in Philadelphia," said Lily Cavanagh, Beat the House organizer with Casino-Free Philadelphia. "Through our actions, we will expose their predatory practices and demonstrate how this trade is politically indefensible."

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Mayor Breaks Multiple Promises Regarding Casino Development in Philadelphia

Casino-Free Philly — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 22:46:31 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PHILADELPHIA, March 13, 2009

At a City Hall press conference this afternoon, Mayor Nutter stated that there are “no barriers” to the construction of two casinos at their desired locations in the city. This announcement, along with his statement on Tuesday that he would like to see the two proposed casinos “get up as quickly as possible,” signal his administration’s complete reversal on the slot parlor issue. It is a disheartening betrayal for any city resident who wants to hold a candidate to their word.

During the 2007 mayoral campaign, when Nutter was asked if he would “attempt to keep casinos from being built in Philadelphia,” he replied “yes.” The mayor elaborated in clear terms why he thought casinos were bad for the city in an April 2007 written response to a questionnaire submitted by a coalition of center-city civic groups.

“I do not support gambling as an economic development tool or as a way to fund ongoing government programs, no matter how worthy,” he wrote. “There is highly controversial evidence about whether the benefits are sustainable over time and whether those benefits exceed the substantial costs of gambling and the facilities that house it,” Nutter wrote.

If our city now faces a debt of historic proportions, why is Nutter endorsing an economic development tool that he so adamantly disapproved? “The mayor’s announcement today violates his own economic policy. Philadelphians deserve a clear explanation about who has gotten to him and why he has suddenly changed his mind,” said Paul Boni, attorney for Casino-Free Philadelphia. “They also deserve the fair and transparent planning process that the administration promised for the waterfront and Market East.”

Beyond concerns about the “substantial costs” that Nutter admitted casinos would bring, there is strong skepticism that SugarHouse and Foxwoods can even obtain the financing needed to build anytime this year. “To open the door for an industry suspected of facing bankruptcy is completely irresponsible,” said Casino-Free founder Jethro Heiko. “The mayor ought to reconsider his position immediately,” Heiko said.

The public has the opportunity to hear the facts regarding slots parlors at the second “Casinos and Citizenry” town hall next Wednesday, March 18. The meeting, part of Casino-Free’s Declaration of Independence from Casinos campaign, will take place at St. Michael’s Church, 4th Street & Fairmount Avenue (in Northern Liberties), 6:45 to 8:30 PM. All media are welcome.

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Riverwards to Hold Second 'Casinos and Citizenry' Town Hall

Casino-Free Philly — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:59:06 +0000

Media Advisory

Contact:

Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PHILADELPHIA, March 12, 2009

The battle rages over casinos in Philly and the pro-casino fringe is getting desperate: Our governor has turned to fear tactics, threatening to withhold wage tax relief to the city if the two proposed casinos are not built. Meanwhile, our mayor suddenly has turned compliant and said on Tuesday that “we’d like to see those entities get up as quickly as possible,” referring to the casinos he explicitly promised during his campaign to keep from being built (PDF). At this critical juncture, Philadelphians have another chance to learn what is really at stake. At the Riverwards town hall on March 18, Casino-Free Philadelphia will present the facts about state-sponsored predatory gambling, the anticipated costs of the proposed slot parlors, and the economic havoc they would wreak on a deficit-ridden city.

The Riverwards town hall will be the second in a series of four meetings to discuss the city’s casino issues. More than 100 people attended the first meeting, held in Center City. The town halls, which are organized by Casino-Free Philadelphia, are part of the Declaration of Independence from Casinos campaign, whose primary goal is to embolden at least one Philadelphia elected official, either a local politician in City Hall or a state politician representing Philadelphia in Harrisburg, to publicly adopt the position that casinos do not belong in Philadelphia.

“Our city’s leaders have before them a terrific opportunity. Taking an unequivocal stance against casinos would steer the city toward a more sound financial footing, considering the enormous net costs of slot parlors,” says Casino-Free founder Jethro Heiko. “At the moment Mayor Nutter doesn’t want to be that hero, but someone else certainly can pull the sword from the stone.”

WHAT: Casinos and Citizenry: Riverwards town hall

WHEN: Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 6:45 to 8:30 PM

WHERE: St. Michael’s Church, 4th Street & Fairmount Avenue (in Northern Liberties)

The Riverwards meeting will be followed by more town halls in locations in North Philly and West Philly. The monthly gatherings are part of a grassroots effort to recruit people in various legislative districts to join the movement. All elected officials are invited to attend. All media are welcome.

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Foxwoods' Latest Proposed Site Challenges City's Legacy of Independence

Casino-Free Philly — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:09:04 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PHILADELPHIA, February 27, 2009

Two nights ago, representatives of the Foxwoods slots parlor issued a surprise announcement that they are now eyeing the former Strawbridge & Clothier store at Eighth and Market Streets. The sudden news of this third suggested location confirms that Foxwoods, like SugarHouse Casino, still refuses to solicit public input or take part in a transparent planning process. And, with the former store one block from the Declaration House, where Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, the site also exposes a desperate siting strategy that not only disregards Philadelphia’s historical legacy but fails to admit that no proper location exists for predatory gambling — anywhere.

The announcement from Foxwoods arrives one month into Casino-Free Philadelphia’s Declaration of Independence from Casinos campaign and also as a growing number of community groups are voicing opposition to casino development at Market East, where 8th and Market is located. “Serious momentum has been gaining against Foxwoods and SugarHouse for some time now, no matter where they try to go. It will only grow with time as more and more people learn the true costs of predatory gambling,” says Casino-Free founder Jethro Heiko.

In light of the economic downturn that has delayed investments over a broad spectrum and has one of Foxwoods partners, the Mashantucket Pequot tribe, struggling to deal with lost revenue, Casino-Free Philadelphia recognizes this chance to criticize directly the concept of state-sponsored predatory gambling as a way to raise public revenue.

Last Wednesday, more than 100 people attended the first of several town halls to hear a fresh perspective about state-sponsored gambling, the social and economic costs that slots parlors cause, and the underhanded ways in which the design and marketing strategies of casinos prey on human weakness for profit.

Regardless of how hard Foxwoods or SugarHouse puffs up any of its proposed locations, casinos in Philadelphia are not a “done deal,” and Casino-Free calls for the city’s leaders to defend the interests of their constituents. The Independence from Casinos campaign seeks “to embolden at least one Philadelphia elected official, either a local politician in City Hall or a state politician representing Philadelphia in Harrisburg, to publicly adopt the position that casinos do not belong in Philadelphia.”

The second “Casinos & Citizenry” town hall will be March 18 in the Philadelphia Riverwards.

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Video Poker and its 'Nefarious Profit': Governor's Statement Fuels Controversy

Casino-Free Philly — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:24:37 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PHILADELPHIA, February 24, 2009

“Gambling’s only evil when it’s run for nefarious profit,” Governor Ed Rendell declared publicly last Thursday at the Community College of Beaver County. He made the statement while petitioning those in attendance to tell their legislators, who were sitting in the front row, to support the legalization of poker machines. The proposal could introduce as many as five highly addictive electronic gambling machines in each bar and tavern throughout the Commonwealth. Such a radical statement by the governor can be a rallying call to educate the citizenry and their elected leaders that the predatory gambling trade, its machines and marketing practices are all, in and of themselves, nefarious.

Casino-Free Philadelphia calls for legislative hearings on the governor's recent proposal to legalize video poker and launder some of the revenue to the state’s tuition relief program.

Electronic gambling machines, such as video poker, are widely known as among the most addictive gambling products, leading experts describe the machines as the “crack cocaine” of gambling devices (MP3 audio). The number-one risk factor for becoming a gambling addict is proximity, and in other jurisdictions, such as Oregon, the legalization of video poker has led addiction rates to skyrocket.

“The governor is kidding himself if he thinks he can convince legislators to encourage their constituents to become addicts and problem gamblers, especially now when everyone, including President Obama, is encouraging everyone to be responsible and save,” said Jethro Heiko of Casino-Free.

“We are calling on all Philadelphia legislators to announce their opposition to video poker and to immediately hold public hearings here in Philadelphia so as to amplify their opposition,” Heiko said. He added, “We decry the governor's shameful effort to try to guilt-trip progressive legislators by earmarking the money for tuition relief.” The organization is also calling on Mayor Michael A. Nutter to clearly state his opposition to legalizing video poker in Philadelphia.

Five years ago, the legislature, led by state Senator Vincent Fumo, now on trial for public corruption, pushed through a bill in the dead of night legalizing 60,000 slot machines in the state, including 10,000 machines in two slots parlors proposed for the City of Philadelphia. Neither slots parlor proposed for Philadelphia has come even close to breaking ground, due to public opposition.

Casino-Free is committed to making sure that today's legislature, including several freshman legislators, do not repeat the same mistake of shutting out the public during this latest attempt to expand predatory gambling. With 1,926 liquor licenses in Philadelphia, Rendell's proposal would bring an additional 10,000 electronic gambling machines into our city.

Unlike social forms of gambling, predatory gambling preys on human weakness for profit. The industry’s cash cow is the electronic gambling machine, whose manipulative features are designed, in the actual language of the casino world, to get gamblers to “play to extinction.” They are, in the words of MIT Professor Natasha Schull, a “high tech version of loaded dice.”

Through its Declaration of Independence from Casinos campaign, Casino-Free Philadelphia has begun informing more and more residents about the clearly nefarious strategies of predatory gambling and the anticipated costs that slot parlors would impose on Philadelphia residents. The campaign also invites “at least one Philadelphia elected official, either a local politician in City Hall or a state politician representing Philadelphia in Harrisburg, to publicly adopt the position that casinos would be bad for Philadelphia.”

The campaign will run until July 4th. The second of its “Casinos & Citizenry” town halls will be March 18 in the Philadelphia Riverwards.

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Join Center City in Declaring Independence From Casinos

Casino-Free Philly — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 22:48:37 +0000

Media Advisory

Contact:

Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PHILADELPHIA, February 11, 2009

Casino-Free Philadelphia's newest campaign, the Declaration of Independence from Casinos, began on Independence Mall on January 27, 2009, and it now swings into action in a series of town halls throughout the neighborhoods of our city. The goal of the campaign, which will run until Independence Day of 2009, is to embolden at least one Philadelphia elected official, either a local politician in City Hall or a state politician representing Philadelphia in Harrisburg, to publicly adopt the position that casinos do not belong in Philadelphia.

Beginning this month, Casino-Free Philadelphia will hold a series of four town hall meetings to discuss the casino issues in the city. The first of these will be held in Center City on Feb. 18. All are encouraged to come and hear the facts about state-sponsored predatory gambling and its devastating costs on communities. The Declaration of Independence from Casinos will be on hand for the meeting's attendees to sign.

WHAT: Casinos and Citizenry: Center City town hall

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, 6:45 to 8:30 PM

WHERE: Liberty Resources, 714 Market Street, Second Floor

In the coming months, additional town hall meetings will be held at locations in the Riverwards, North Philly, and West Philly. The gatherings are part of a grassroots effort to recruit people in various legislative districts to join the campaign. As the movement grows and the anti-casino voices become stronger and louder, one of our local politicians will be increasingly inspired to stand with the people against SugarHouse and Foxwoods and oppose the casinos no matter where they seek to locate in our city.

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Video Poker in PA: Casino-Free Philadelphia Calls for Legislative Hearings

Casino-Free Philly — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:00:00 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PHILADELPHIA, February 5, 2009

As part of his budget address delivered on Wednesday, Governor Ed Rendell announced plans to install up to five video poker machines in each of Pennsylvania's bars, restaurants, and private clubs to fund the state's tuition relief program; but a close inspection of this plan, or any other that advances predatory gambling, may very well demonstrate that the commonwealth would see a net fiscal loss. It is time for elected officials, including legislators, to allow public input and examine all the numbers regarding gambling measures, before more misaligned budget choices lead the state further into the red.

The state has already legalized over 60,000 slot machines in a program many have called a "debacle". Video Poker is the slots machine's identical twin: both use the same technology, both cause the same addiction and both prey upon poor to moderate-income citizens.

While introducing his video poker proposal, the Governor challenged "anyone to justify why we should deny [tuition] relief to our fellow citizens." Many economic questions have been answered already by Casino-Free Philadelphia's report, "You Pay Even If You Don't Play" (PDF), which contains startling conclusions about the fiscal net loss associated with state-sponsored gambling.

The public deserves a reasoned argument that weighs the total costs with the benefits, for video poker or any gambling-related initiative. "The Governor doesn't want anyone to see the other side of the ledger," said Casino-Free founder Jethro Heiko. "He's like a drug pusher who doesn't care about the devastation his product causes."

Casino-Free Philadelphia calls on all members of the Philadelphia Delegation to initiate and support open public hearings on video poker machines. "Governor Rendell is publicly challenging citizens to 'justify' their position and we request that our legislators immediately schedule public hearings so the public's voice can be heard," Heiko said.

Today's lead editorial in The Philadelphia Inquirer said the video poker proposal should be "dead on arrival" because it would "further drain the resources of low income residents." WHYY radio reported today (mp3) that some call video power the electronic equivalent of "crack cocaine."

In its Declaration of Independence from Casinos campaign, Casino-Free is searching out at least one Philadelphia elected official who will "publicly adopt the position that casinos would be bad for Philadelphia." Casino-Free believes any official can confidently take such a position once he or she seriously has examined the hidden costs of casinos.

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Casino-Free Philadelphia Brushes Aside Rendell's Saber-Rattling, Looks for the Unafraid Politician

Casino-Free Philly — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:46:45 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PHILADELPHIA, January 29, 2009

On Tuesday, as part of the state government's ongoing efforts to force casino slot parlors into Philadelphia, Governor Ed Rendell warned that, if slot parlor developments are not being built by this August, the state's Gambling Act could be amended to deny City residents the wage tax relief funded by gambling revenues. Casino-Free Philadelphia's new campaign, launched the same day as the Governor's threat, urges residents and elected officials to look beyond this threat and examine the true costs of slot parlors for the city. Casino-Free is confident that the costs outweigh the benefits and that having our city opt out of the gambling program, as the Governor threatens, would be a net-win for Philadelphia.

During a question-and-answer session with the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Rendell announced that a bill altering the city wage tax "will whip through the Legislature taking gambling proceeds away from Philadelphia." Casino-Free takes seriously any government action affecting the municipal budget, which is why the organization fervently opposes state-sponsored predatory gambling. State leaders still have not conducted a full and transparent cost analysis of slot parlors and their anticipated impacts on our community

The Declaration of Independence from Casinos campaign promises to "draw the public into having a meaningful dialogue and analysis" of casinos in our city, says Casino-Free founder Jethro Heiko. Through recruitment efforts and monthly town hall meetings coordinated by the organization, city residents and elected officials will have the chance to look closely at the financial tolls that slot parlors will impose, as calculated by the Casino-Free's report "You Pay Even If You Don't Play" (PDF), which actually predicted the Governor's threat, issued during its 2008 Operation Hidden Costs campaign, and by a 2007 five-year budget analysis by the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority.

The new campaign extends an invitation to "at least one Philadelphia elected official, either a local politician in City Hall or a state politician representing Philadelphia in Harrisburg, to publicly adopt the position that casinos would be bad for Philadelphia." Heiko predicts that any elected official who stands with the people on this issue would be "an instant hero and hailed as fiscally astute." Casino-Free questions whether any elected official will actually claim to be pro-casino, given that state-sponsored gambling represents taxation by exploitation targeted at the poor and middle class.

The Declaration of Independence from Casinos campaign will run until July 4th. The first Town Hall will be Wednesday, Feb. 18, in Center City.

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Casino-Free Philadelphia Launches Campaign with Public Signing of The Declaration of Independence from Casinos

Casino-Free Philly — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:09:32 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Jethro Heiko, jethro [at] casinofreephila [dot] org, (267) 984-3493

PHILADELPHIA, January 22, 2009

Casino-Free Philadelphia will publicly launch a new campaign on Tuesday, January 27th at noon, to call on citizens and politicians to sign on to a Declaration of Independence from Casinos. The goal of the new campaign is to embolden at least one Philadelphia elected official, either a local politician in City Hall or a state politician representing Philadelphia in Harrisburg, to publicly adopt the position that casinos would be bad for Philadelphia.

WHAT: New Campaign Launch including public reading and signing of the Declaration of Independence from Casinos

WHEN: Tuesday, January 27th at 12 noon

WHERE: Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets.

A rally will be held on Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets. After the Declaration is read, the crowd will be invited to add their signature to the Declaration and pledge to oppose casinos anywhere in Philadelphia. This signing will kick-off Casino-Free's Declaration of Independence from Casinos campaign that will run until July 4th of this year.

"Everyday we learn more about why casinos will be bad for Philadelphia" says Jethro Heiko, a founder of Casino-Free Philadelphia "We will ask politicians to join us by signing our Declaration and fighting for independence from this predatory trade."

To reach its goal, Casino-Free is working to recruit people in every legislative district to join the campaign, and will publish a manifesto in April which will explain why casinos do not belong in Philadelphia. The group will also host a series of town hall meetings and invite elected officials to attend. The first Town Hall will be Wednesday, February 18th, in Center City.

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