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Josephs issues statement regarding State Supreme Court decision on 1,500 foot slots buffer zone

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 3 – State Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., released the following statement today in response to the State Supreme Court's ruling that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has the sole determination of where slots facilities will be located:

"Based on the temporary injunction by the courts to remove the question regarding the slots buffer zone from the ballot this spring, this decision is not surprising. However, it is disappointing.

"Casinos increase traffic and draw crowds. The people of Philadelphia are the ones who will be affected by this every day, so they should also be the ones to decide where the casinos can be located.

"More than 13,000 votes were cast in an unofficial citizens' election held outside polling places this spring on this issue, and 95 percent of voters said that Philadelphia should ban casinos within 1,500 feet of schools, residential neighborhoods, playgrounds and places of worship.

"The people have made their collective voice heard, and that's why I believe we must all continue to stand firm in our determination that gaming developers must respect neighborhoods near them or their casinos should be relocated. No industry can do business in an area where almost everyone is hostile to it. Since the Supreme Court has said that casino location is up to the state, I call on my fellow legislators to support House Bill 1477 which puts the 1,500 foot buffer zone in state law.

"Slots may very well be a good way to ease the pain of wage and property taxes, but the residents of Philadelphia should have a say in the process. I proposed House Bill 1477 because the concerns of Philadelphians were not taken into account by the Gaming Control Board when it made its decision to locate two casinos in residential areas. My bill represents the needs of the people. And I will continue my efforts to see that those needs are addressed."