Sugarhouse casino opens in Philadelphia
Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
It's a big day for Philadelphia gamblers who have been saving their quarters. After years of opposition and delays, Philadelphia's first casino opened to the public along the Delaware River.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Music pours out of a trolley parked by the entrance to the casino. The Sugar Express – SugarHouse's free trolley – will pick up and drop off potential gamblers at points around Center City starting next month.
Trolley making the rounds in Center City
Nearby a long line snakes around the entrance. These are people who have come to gamble and many came prepared for a long wait.
Alberta Wiggs of North Philadelphia is working her way through a book of word puzzles, and chatting with her friends. The group brought chairs, umbrellas, and lunch. Wiggs says they call themselves the "Casino Crew." They've traveled together to many other casinos.
"Bally's, Hilton Resorts, Showboat, Bethlehem Sands, and also we went in the one way out, Delaware Park Dover Downs, and Midway."
Wiggs says she knows some opposed the casino opening.
"I think it's nice for other people to have a job. Some people didn't even have a job before this place opened. And I'm so happy for them."
Robert Thorn came in from his house near Kensington and Allegheny early this morning. He knows opponents worry about the casino causing gambling addictions.
Robert Thorn
"They're addicted already. They play the lottery and the scratch offs. They go to Atlantic City. To each his own. You gotta live and learn you know I think I learned if I get a little something I'm running with it. I don't stay no more until the gravy train runs outta gravy. I don't do that no more."
Activists from Casino-Free Philadelphia say they're not giving up. They plan to launch a campaign to shut down the casino..and lead dozens of Casino Town Watch patrols during SugarHouse's first year.
Is there off track horse racing betting available?
I thought the Casino was nice. I would return I walked out a winner that the main thing After Sugarhouse I went to Harrah's in Chester and walked out of there a winner as well.
I hope that lady wins lot's of money so she can buy some teeth.
Bring on the casino's the city need all the help they can get.
Delaware ave.needs more all the help they can get.
o ld city use to be dead after 9:00 am,now
it"s
booming with so much to do. del
As long as they tell people not to spend all of thier money sugerhouse is ok.
They need more things to do up and down delaware ave.
Old city used to be dead after 9:00 am.
We need to wake up delaware ave.for the party people.
There lack of teeth in this video is criminal.
You are right Thomas, about the lack of teeth.People cannot afford to fix their teeth,but they do have a Casino now.Wow,this is so great…
I just want to say that this is not balanced reporting. There was a protest across the street and they were given no voice whatsoever. All the interviews were from people who were for the casino when the reporter merely had to walk across the street to see that issue divides the city. It is unfortunate of WHYY.
This is a report on the casino opening. There is a separate article on the protests. In my opinion, neither article could be described as particularly informative. Mostly puff.