Philadelphia Could Lose Slot Machines

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has awarded all of the slot machines licenses, but with the appeal deadline still a week away, many are wondering if the Philadelphia City Council will even allow the slot machines casinos the right to set up shop within the city. Because of the work of anti-gambling groups within the city, many are speculating that the city will pass some of the ordinances the anti-slot machines groups are supporting.

But others feel the groups may be pushing their luck with their latest bills put before the City Council. They are not only looking to limit where the slot machines casinos are able to build—they are attempting to ban slot machines altogether from Philadelphia. The City Council seems to be stuck right in the middle of this war on slot machines, so to help them sort out the complaints and options the Council has hired a lawyer. Though seeking an appeal to the Gaming Board is an option, the City Council may not actually have enough evidence to support their appeal. Also, the anti-slot machines groups are only now coming out in strong force against the slot machines, and the Board may very well rule that they stepped into the process to late in the game to have any merit to their claims.

If the Council chooses to appeal the decision however, many believe the costs of the appeal would outweigh the positive effects if they happened to win. Even if the Council chooses not to appeal the Board’s decision though, they do still have the option of severely limiting where the slot machines casino could be built.

And the City Council has the State Supreme Court to thank for their zoning rights—when the slot machines were first legalized in the state, the law that legalized slot machines also negated a city’s right to decide where the slot machines and casinos would be most valuable. After a year though the oversight was remedied and the Supreme Court ruled in favor of control over city planning and zoning issues.




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