Philly casino opponents ready for a new fight

November 13, 2012
  • <p>Work on the Goat Hollow Tavern's outdoor dining terrace will begin in the spring. ( Jana Shea /for NewsWorks )</p>

    Work on the Goat Hollow Tavern's outdoor dining terrace will begin in the spring. ( Jana Shea /for NewsWorks )

  • <p>A preview of the Goat Hollow Tavern's new logo is displayed near the building permit. ( Jana Shea /for NewsWorks )</p>

    A preview of the Goat Hollow Tavern's new logo is displayed near the building permit. ( Jana Shea /for NewsWorks )

  • <p>A new canopy with lighting will help to draw in patrons to the Goat Hollow Tavern's main entrance. ( Jana Shea /for NewsWorks )</p>

    A new canopy with lighting will help to draw in patrons to the Goat Hollow Tavern's main entrance. ( Jana Shea /for NewsWorks )

  • <p>Cordish Cos. proposed a partnership with the owner of Bensalem's Parx to build a casino on Packer Ave. and 10th streets. (Kimberly Paynter/for NewsWorks)</p>

    Cordish Cos. proposed a partnership with the owner of Bensalem's Parx to build a casino on Packer Ave. and 10th streets. (Kimberly Paynter/for NewsWorks)

  • The former site of the Daily News and Inquirer at Broad and Callowhill streets. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

    The former site of the Daily News and Inquirer at Broad and Callowhill streets. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

  • <p>U.S. Rep. Bob Brady is advocating to build a city run casino at the site of the old food distribution center at Parker Ave. and 3rd streets but has not yet submitted a proposal. (Kimberly Paynter/for NewsWorks)</p>

    U.S. Rep. Bob Brady is advocating to build a city run casino at the site of the old food distribution center at Parker Ave. and 3rd streets but has not yet submitted a proposal. (Kimberly Paynter/for NewsWorks)

  • <p>Casino developer Steve Wynn has said that he wants to build along the Delaware River in Fishtown, near Penn Treaty Park. (Kimberly Paynter/for NewsWorks)</p>

    Casino developer Steve Wynn has said that he wants to build along the Delaware River in Fishtown, near Penn Treaty Park. (Kimberly Paynter/for NewsWorks)

  • <p><p>The Goldenberg Group applied for the license to build on the parking lot at 8th and Market streets, the site of the failed DisneyQuest project in the early 2000's. (Kimberly Paynter/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>The Goldenberg Group applied for the license to build on the parking lot at 8th and Market streets, the site of the failed DisneyQuest project in the early 2000's. (Kimberly Paynter/for NewsWorks)</p>

As developers submit proposals this week to build Philly’s latest casino, gambling opponents are also rallying their troops.

 

They’re planning a slightly different fight than the one they lost trying to block the first casino, SugarHouse.

Dan Hajdo says Casino Free Philadelphia will do its best to convince the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board not to give out a second casino license in Philadelphia. However, he says, the group will try to get laws passed to prevent casinos from issuing credit on the floor, staying open all night and other practices he says prey on customers’ gambling addictions.

“If you actually regulate these practices, get rid of these practices,” Hadjo says, “then these casinos no longer make a profit and they go away.”

Hajdo insists this is not an admission that approval of a second casino is inevitable, but the result of people’s first-hand experiences on how SugarHouse casino has affected friends and family members.

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