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Where were all the anti-casino folks at today's SugarHouse hearing?
Of the more than 20 people who signed up to testify, only one person spoke out against the renewal of the casino's license.
Where were all the anti-casino folks at today's SugarHouse hearing?
If you were hoping for a proverbial dustup at today's SugarHouse hearing — between pro- and anti-casino advocates, between arguments for "economic development" and against "predatory gambling" — then you were sorely disappointed. Of the more than 20 people who signed up to testify, only one person spoke out against the renewal of the casino's license.
Local and state officials, business owners and community members came out in strong support for SugarHouse. Maggie O'Brien, president of the pro-casino community group Fishtown Action, said the casino "sparkles" and that the land it sits on "was once an eyesore ... [and] has been transformed." Capt. Michael Cram of the 26th Police District said crime at SugarHouse is "not even an issue." Planning Commission chairman Alan Greenberger said the city is in "full support" of both the casino's license renewal as well as its planned expansion.
Paul Boni, a board member of Stop Predatory Gambling, provided the sole anti-casino voice at the hearing: He opposed the renewal of the casino's license because, among other things, he said SugarHouse profits from gambling addicts and takes money away from local businesses. He also noted, in regards to the beefed-up police presence at the casino, "That is a significant law enforcement investment that the taxpayers are shouldering. No one has asked the question, so I’ll ask it: What is that costing?"
So ... where were all the anti-casino folks at today's SugarHouse hearing?
Casino-Free Philadelphia's Dan Hajdo, who City Paper reached by phone, says, "We didn't attend because as the grand jury report confirmed, the [Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board] is really just there to support the industry. So any kind of action on our part is really a waste of time."
Hajdo bluntly adds: "The only reason they would deny anyone a license is because they don't have the right political connections."
Gaming Control Board spokesman Richard McGarvey says that the agency has not denied any license renewal applications in its history. He said that five renewals, including SugarHouse's, are currently being sought.
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