Casino-Free Philadelphia - Press Release
March 7, 2007 * www.CasinoFreePhila.org

Contact:
Daniel Hunter, cell 267-825-0807

79% of Philadelphians Don't Want Casino Near Homes

Poll by Global Strategy Group supports goals of neighborhood and civic groups against the two casinos

PHILADELPHIA: Seventy-nine percent of voters do not believe casinos should be built within 1,500 feet of residential neighborhoods, schools, places of worship or playgrounds, according to a poll done by Global Strategy Group. The poll found similar results in every part of the city for moving casinos out of residential neighborhoods.

On the question of whether voters should have a chance to vote on the two slots parlors proposed for Philadelphia, over three-quarters of Philadelphia voters believe there should be a vote. Again, strong support for such a vote comes from across the city.

These statistics come on the heels of a judge striking down the signatures by citizens as part of the first citizen-initiated referendum in thirty years. That referendum would place a question on the ballot asking if current and future slots parlors should be built in residential neighborhoods, schools, or places of worship. Based on the results of todays survey, the vast majority would vote against slots parlors in neighborhoods.

Seventy-eight percent of Philadelphia voters believe the decision for whether slots parlors should be built in their neighborhood should in the hands of the community, not the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Only fourteen-percent think otherwise.

Currently the two slots parlors, SugarHouse and Foxwoods, are slated to built along the Delaware Riverfront. Both fall within a 1,500 feet radius of residential neighborhoods.

Citizens who oppose those two casino sites gathered 27,000 signatures to force city council to vote on a referendum which would move casinos out of that radius. Yesterday, a judge threw out the signatures, siding with SugarHouse investor Richard Sprague who claimed over 1/4 were invalid.

"We lost in the court of law, but we are still winning in the court of public opinion," said Zoe Beta Artz, a Fishtown resident opposed to the SugarHouse site. "It's no secret that there are well-connected politicians trying to stop public outcry to these casinos. But we are still fighting for the right of citizens to have a vote."

City Council will take up the issue in a Thursday hearing, where there will be the first reading of the referendum. A vote is expected to be held Thursday, March 15th.

The poll is of 500 registered voters in Philadelphia by Global Strategy Group and has a +/- of 4.4 percent. Their sample included representative geographic and demographic samplings. It was sponsored by Casino-Free Philadelphia.

[Copy of poll is attached. If you have trouble opening, please contact Daniel Hunter at hyrax1@gmail.com or 267-825-0807 for a copy by fax.]




Casino Free Philadelphia is a network of civic, community, and small business working to protect Philadelphia's neighborhoods from the negative impact of the casinos. More at: www.CasinoFreePhila.org

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Last Updated: March 8, 2007