Casino Opponents Go To Harrisburg

PHILADELPHIA - Protestors are headed to Harrisburg Wednesday to voice their concerns about plans to build two casinos in Philadelphia.

Fox 29's Julie Kim reported that members of  "Casino Free Philadelphia" gathered at 11th and VIne streets to board buses for the state capital.

The State Gaming Control Board is meeting Wednesday with casino investors to review the city's casino plans.

The protestors did not expect to get inside the closed meeting. They planned to submit questions.

Rev. Robin Hynick, from Arch Street United Methodist Church, said the group is concerned about "the lack of public input."

Queen Village resident Andrea Rice said, "We think that gambling is a predatory institution and that there is no place for it in our cities -- not in our neighborhood, not in the downtown neighborhood. It just puts neighborhoods at risk. We just believe that the assumption that it's going to create a large tax base is a lie."

State Representative Mike Vereb, who represents Pennsylvania's 150th district in Montgomery County, told "Good Day Philadelphia" city residents want to participate in the process.

Plans are under way for Foxwoods Casino to open by the end of the year in the old Strawbridge's building in Center City.

In the gaming board's morning session, memberes approved a mini-slots parlor for the Valley Forge Convention Center.