As five groups vie for Philadelphia's second casino license,
a series of hearings is under way on the suitability of their proposals.
The developer who wants to build a gaming hall on North
Broad Street, made his case Tuesday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Just
before heading into the Pennsylvania Gaming Board hearing, developer Bart
Blatstein described his project, The Provence, as "the best."
"It's got the best location. It's the largest property.
It's the largest casino. It's the largest on the amenities," he gushed.
"It just beats everybody in every category."
Blatstein would like to open The Provence Resort &
Casino in the former Philadelphia Inquirer building. He said he hopes the board
will agree that his project is special and "how much of a game changer it
is for Pennsylvania."
It would be "the first truly integrated entertainment
resort located in a major urban city," he said.
Society Hill neighborhood resident Paul Boni was not
impressed. In fact, he said he hopes the gaming board declines to issue the
casino license to anyone.
"These facilities are designed to be close to
neighborhoods, close to dense population centers, open 24/7 with free booze and
easy credit," he said. "All these things designed to keep you at the
slot machine for the longest possible period."
As the lawyer for the "Casino Free Philadelphia"
group, Boni has witnessed the city's past rumbles over gaming halls first-hand.
"The problems with state-sponsored predatory gambling
are with us in the form of SugarHouse Casino and they would be with us every
more with a second casino in Philadelphia," he said.
The CEO of city nonprofit promoting independent living for
those with disabilities also is concerned.
"As a large nonprofit provider of human services and
independent living for people with disabilities, we're very fearful of
predatory gambling and the marketing tactics that are used by casinos,"
said Thomas Earle of Liberty Resources Inc.
Earle said 90 percent of the people his organization works
with are low income -- the same group, he said, targeted by casinos.
Another group worried about the second casino opening in the
city is Philadelphia's only existing gaming hall, SugarHouse in Fishtown. The
board is expected to hear from SugarHouse representatives later this week about
how a second casino would impact business.
In addition to the site on North Broad Street, proposed
casino locations include South Philadelphia, Fishtown and Center City.
After the presentations this week, the board's work will
continue, said spokesman Doug Harbach.
"The board will go through this week, hear
presentations from all five, ask their questions to each of the applicants and
then soon there after we'll ho to be in a position to award this license in
Philly."
In addition to the site on North Broad Street, the proposed
casino locations include South Philadelphia, Fishtown and Center City.
Source: NewsWorks.com
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