Casino-Free Philadelphia Campaigns


Casino-Free Philadelphia operates on the campaign model of organizing -- using strategic, targeted efforts to achieve specific goals. We use this to build power over a period of time. While campaigns are often very intense, the campaign model offers quieter times between campaigns for reflection.

Operation Transparency

Operation Transparency (October 2006 - January 2007)

The PA Gaming Control Board (PGCB) refused to make public their documents, such as updated site plans and traffic plans. No meaningful public input could be made without access to such basic documents.

The goal was to get the PGCB to stop violating our right to know and release the hidden documents. If they did not release the documents by our December 1 deadline, we vowed to go to their offices in Harrisburg to carry out a “citizens’ document search” to make the documents public ourselves.

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No Way Without Our Say

No Way Without Our Say (February - May 2007)

After the Gaming Control Board made its decision to pick SugarHouse and Foxwoods, we vowed to give the public a say in the siting process. We launched No Way Without Our Say – a petition drive to get over 20,000 signatures. That many signatures would force a City Council vote on creating a primary ballot question.

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Philly's Ballot Box

Philly’s Ballot Box (May - June 2007)

Rather than allow the public to have their say, the PA Gaming Control Board, SugarHouse, and Foxwoods sued the City to prevent the vote from going forward.

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Public Filibuster

[under construction]

Site Occupation

[under construction]

Operation Hidden Costs

WHAT ARE HIDDEN COSTS?
Gambling brings about severe economic costs, even to those who never set foot in a casino. Those hidden costs to the city include the costs for policing, social service agencies to assist addicts, and prosecuting the rise of crime.

Further, casino slot parlors are being given special treatment by the government, such as exemptions allowing them to serve free drinks all days and all hours. Their introduction will cannibalize millions of dollars from the local economy – another hidden cost.

HOW MUCH ARE THE COSTS?

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Important Planning Session - Please Attend! | Join Casino-Free Philadelphia in the struggle as we gather for an important planning session:
Tuesday, November 18th, 6:00-8:30 pm
Liberty Resources
714 Market Street
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Asian American United Statement on Mayor's Signature | Asian American United's powerful statement about the City Council and the Mayor’s actions. Please read it here below.
Asian Americans United is disappointed but not surprised by the Mayor's decision. It has been clear from the start that there has been no intent to engage in an inclusive process that respects the voices of residents and communities. Worse still has been witnessing the dismantling of processes that have been established in our city precisely to protect residents from capricious and self-serving development.
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Update from November 1st | We appreciate all of you who turned out for the Saturday, November 1st march on City Council. You made hundreds of phone calls, distributed flyers, spoke with your neighbors, and together with neighborhood associations and community groups from all over the city we packed the City Council chambers after a march of nearly 1,000 people.
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Where will you be at 9 am this Saturday? |
March from Chinatown Gate (10th and Arch) to City Hall for a public hearing about the proposed Foxwoods site at Market East. The hearing is on the 4th floor of City Hall and begins at 10 am. See you there!
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All Updates