Beat the House
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Beat the House theme song
Thanks to Casino-Free supporters Isabella LiPuma, 14, and Chelsea Cylinder, 13!
Think you can't Beat the House? Think again.
On Saturday, June 6, 2009, members of Casino-Free and other citizens' groups will gather inside a slots parlor located just a few miles from Philadelphia to call attention to the predatory practices used by the casino industry.
The event, called Beat the House, will send two messages: A message of defiance to the predatory gambling trade, and a message of support to Philadelphians who want to keep slot parlors out of their city.
For the last five years the predatory gambling trade and its political allies have tried to force casinos into our communities, and now is the time we will focus public attention on where it belongs: on the product itself. Our actions during Beat the House will direct the public consciousness on the precise predatory practices being used on our fellow citizens.
During Beat the House we will reveal how the machines are designed and how a slots parlor functions in ways that maximizes the cultivation of gambling addicts and problem gamblers, on whose backs the industry survives.
Who is participating?
The action is being planned by Casino-Free Philadelphia and other community and social action groups. Friends from other states will be joining us, too. Casino-Free Philadelphia has been fighting to keep casinos out of Philadelphia since 2006. Who will be there? You, and all your friends!
When will you Beat the House?
Beat the House will occur on Saturday, June 6, from 2–5 pm. In order to participate, you must attend one of the training sessions, which will be held:
- Wednesday, June 3, 6–8 pm
- The day of the event, Saturday, June 6, 11 am–1 pm
What is the schedule for June 6, the day you Beat the House?
- 11 am–1 pm: Training for those unable to make either of the earlier trainings.
- 1–2 pm: We meet at the send-off location (Liberty Resources), eat lunch and travel to the casino.
- 2–5 pm: The Beat the House events will be short and take place at different times throughout the day. We will distribute information about everything you need to know.
- 5–6 pm: Return to Philadelphia
- 6 pm and on: The after party! We'll celebrate our victorious day!
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Beat the House flyer (PDF) | 366.7 KB |
Live Updates from Beat the House
Updates as they occurred on June 6, 2009. Follow Casino-Free Philadelphia's live updates on Twitter.
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50+ people currently being trained for the nonviolent direct action at Harrah's casino today. Our letter to Chester: http://bit.ly/2oivpc2 years 49 weeks ago
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BIG NEWS: Reports coming in that @PhillyInquirer photographer inside Harrah's casino was escorted out. Predatory gambling hates exposure.2 years 49 weeks ago
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Harrah's casino is checking all bags of people entering the casino. Reportedly looking for cameras.2 years 49 weeks ago
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First wave arrived. You want to bring casinos to our community? We'll bring our community to your casino. http://twitpic.com/6rd5k2 years 49 weeks ago
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Two anti-casino activists have been asked to leave.2 years 49 weeks ago
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From one attendee: "Casinos are economic poison...like polluting our waterways in a different way."2 years 49 weeks ago
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Anti-casino activists just revealed their shirts: "You won't prey on us" http://twitpic.com/6rev92 years 49 weeks ago
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Activist just took a photo inside Harrah's, and "within seconds I had two state troopers confronting me." Casinos & transparency don't mix.2 years 49 weeks ago
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"We're sitting at the machines with a guard standing behind us speaking with other guards. They're onto us."2 years 49 weeks ago
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Three more pro-community activists asked to leave Harrah's casino.2 years 49 weeks ago
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"We've been asked to leave due to our failure to gamble."2 years 49 weeks ago
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Activists have put $5 in each machine and then NOT pressed "spin." It seems you're not allowed to be entertained in a casino in this way.2 years 49 weeks ago
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Within four years of casinos' arrival in Atlantic City, one-third of retail businesses had closed. Is Philly next? http://bit.ly/AZLTf2 years 49 weeks ago
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"Security is everywhere. They don't seem to know what to do."2 years 49 weeks ago
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The creativity of Philadelphia anti-casino, pro-community activists: art, theatre and music! http://bit.ly/jia402 years 49 weeks ago
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You Pay Even if You Don't Play: Bringing casinos to Philadelphia would cause a $52 million net LOSS. http://bit.ly/DrLkP2 years 49 weeks ago
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Billionaire casino investors have no right to extract $700 million in annual revenue from our neighborhoods.2 years 49 weeks ago
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"Its pretty awesome to see security scrambling around the casino like lovesick puppy dogs after us. They have no idea what to do!"2 years 49 weeks ago
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"Patron: You're here protesting the casino? Me: Yes. The predatory nature of it. Patron: We're here wasting our money."2 years 49 weeks ago
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"If you're not playing, you can't sit here." Activists had put in $5, just not pressed any buttons - what does it mean to "play"?2 years 49 weeks ago
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Philadelphians have been shut out of the political process. No elected official has spoken in opposition to casinos. We're prepared to fight2 years 49 weeks ago
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Beat the House forecasts our future actions if elected officials continue to push forward the plans for SugarHouse or Foxwoods in Philly.2 years 49 weeks ago
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Our opposition is not about location. There is no appropriate place for SugarHouse, Foxwoods, or any casino in Philadelphia.2 years 49 weeks ago
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Univ. study: For every casino job gained, 3 jobs lost due to forced relocation of businesses, increased taxes and crime. http://bit.ly/yMl2U2 years 49 weeks ago
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@cdpeirce Thanks! We're inside a casino near Philadelphia today, trying to prevent any from being built here. http://www.CasinoFreePhila.org2 years 49 weeks ago
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State-sponsored predatory gambling: Balancing budgets on the backs of the poor. The most regressive tax imaginable. http://bit.ly/jEUpY2 years 49 weeks ago
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@chpaquette @cdpeirce glad to have your support!2 years 49 weeks ago
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Law permitting Philly casinos passed at 2am on July 4, 2004. No public input or review. Every Philly state rep and senator voted in favor.2 years 49 weeks ago
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"Philadelphians are right to protest the decisions made under that flawed process" - Michael Nutter, 2007. http://bit.ly/QIjuC2 years 49 weeks ago
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All activists have left the casino in Chester. Reports are very positive, no arrests and friendly interactions with staff and other gamblers2 years 49 weeks ago
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Image: Anti-casino activists leaving Harrah's, with their message: You Won't Prey on Us! http://twitpic.com/6rqby2 years 49 weeks ago
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After leaving the casino, activists stood along the entrance, chanting "You Won't Prey on Us!" Photo: http://twitpic.com/6rrw12 years 49 weeks ago
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RT @Smitty9834 Fight the power! Great Protest! No more Casinos preying on our poor!2 years 49 weeks ago
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@raphaelmc Thanks for your support!2 years 49 weeks ago
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Today, we brought our communities to their casino. We beat the house. And we'll be back.2 years 49 weeks ago