Philadelphians Geared Up to Beat the House on June 6

For Immediate Release

On June 6th, Philadelphia residents and anti-casino activists from other cities and states will converge on a nearby slots parlor to call attention to predatory practices used by the gambling trade. Participants at this historic event, called Beat the House, will demonstrate how a slots parlor is specifically designed to cultivate out-of-control gamblers, on whose backs the industry thrives.

The casino companies have obtained the support of some prominent politicians and investors as they try to force two slots parlors into Philadelphia; but Beat the House will show the state-sponsored, predatory gambling trade that, rather than the house, it’s a vibrant community that always wins.

“Beat The House will send two messages,” said Lily Cavanagh, an organizer with Casino-Free Philadelphia, the grass roots group sponsoring the event. “To the predatory gambling trade we’re saying, ‘Your predatory tactics are unacceptable.’ To those who want to keep slot parlors out of Philadelphia and their cities and towns, we’re saying, ‘Here is a way to expose the industry while hitting hard against pro-casino politicians.’”

Beat the House and its actions are part of an ongoing call for better decision-making for the city. “We’re proud of our city and our communities,” said Casino-Free organizer Ivan Boothe, “so we demand good leadership, planning, and services, which is the antithesis of having slots parlors in our city.”

Event organizers are asking interested individuals to go to www.BeatTheHouse.org and sign up for one of the training sessions scheduled in the days before the June 6 event.

Casino-Free Philadelphia's mission is to stop casinos from coming to Philadelphia and close any that open. The benefits of casinos can never outweigh the social and economic costs from an industry reliant on addiction to survive. Visit us online at www.CasinoFreePhila.org.

###