Foxwoods faces defeat

Update II: As expected, the PA Gaming Control Board extended Foxwoods license — but sent them back to the Delaware waterfront in South Philadelphia. We'll have much more information posted soon, but remember this: We oppose casinos ANYWHERE in the city!

Update: We'll be "live Tweeting" our trip to Harrisburg throughout the day Friday. Check out recent updates at left, or follow us on Twitter. We can't wait to see how Foxwoods will explain its continuing viability in light of its "dire financial condition" and junk bond status!

This Friday, representatives from Ron Rubin's Foxwoods casino are going before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) in Harrisburg to admit defeat. Their license, granted more than a year ago, required the slots parlor to be up and running by now.

What stopped Foxwoods' construction? That's simple: You did.

Join us in Harrisburg this Friday to declare a victory.

Foxwoods will be going before the board to admit defeat in a fight they haven't been able to win. They want the PGCB to bail out the casino by granting a two-year extension on their gambling license.

To be sure, this is not a final defeat — Foxwoods can be relatively sure that the unelected, corrupt "regulators" will grant their request. Yet this important milestone proves that the people of Philadelphia can win against predatory gambling — and we'll continue to win, barricading any casino from our city.

Let's watch Foxwoods admit defeat this Friday.

Foxwoods has alluded to asking the PGCB to move the casino license from South Philly to 8th & Market near Chinatown, but they haven't done so yet. That's right — as of now Foxwoods is still proposed for the Pennsport–Queen Village neighborhood, and the Philadelphia Inquirer suggested the PGCB might require it to stay there.

Please join Casino-Free Philadelphia, the No Casino in the Heart of the City Coalition and other allies this Friday as we declare our continuing opposition to casinos in South Philadelphia, Chinatown, Fishtown, and anywhere in Philly!

WHAT: Travel to Harrisburg to declare victory against Foxwoods and pledge to continue to bar its construction

WHEN: Depart this Friday, August 28, at 7AM from Philadelphia; return by 3PM

RSVP: Reserve your spot now so we can coordinate transportation

We expect the PGCB will rubber-stamp Foxwood's request for an extension on Friday, whether they allow the casino in Chinatown or South Philly. (Gov. Rendell said pointedly, "I don't care where.") And that's exactly why we're going — to say to the PGCB: Your rubber-stamp approval doesn't matter. We're going to win anyway.

The only reason Foxwoods executives will be in Harrisburg this Friday is because of us — we truly are the barriers to slots in Philly. If you can't make it to Harrisburg with us, please consider making a donation to help support our continuing work.

In addition, if you haven't already done so, please don't forget to sign our nonviolent pledge of action:

I pledge to take nonviolent action to halt the construction of any casino built in Philadelphia. I will not allow the predatory gambling industry to destroy our community and our cities. Should such casinos be built, I pledge to take nonviolent action to prevent their effective operation.

From one barrier to another, see you in Harrisburg!