South Philly reacts to state revoking Foxwoods’ casino license

State gambling regulators have revoked the license for a long-stalled Philadelphia casino project. The Gaming Control Board pulled the plug on Foxwoods Thursday.

Four years ago, the Gaming Control Board awarded a license to the planned waterfront casino in South Philadelphia. But almost immediately the project faced neighborhood opposition, and concerns over traffic along Columbus Boulevard. Then the recession hit, and the project’s funding began to falter.

Casino backers struggled to obtain new partners and financing as neighbors continued to oppose the project.

“In that four years the issues that can’t be addressed, still can’t be addressed,” said Reen Goodwin with the Pennsport Civic Association. “The Foxwoods partners still haven’t presented themselves as viable. Revoke the license, clean the slate start over do it right.”

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The board voted 6-1 to revoke the license.  Investors are expected to file a lawsuit, which could put the fate of Philadelphia’s second casino in limbo for years to come.

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