Gettysburg Council Approves Gambling Venue
13 Jul 2006
In a 7-3 vote, the Gettysburg Borough Council in Pennsylvania has approved a slot-machine gambling parlor to be located near the historic Civil War battlefield. The gambling venue was approved by the council in exchange for a guaranteed $1 million a year revenue deal. Not everyone was in favor of the proposed gambling parlor and the proximity of the complex so near to town and the historic battlefield has drawn a tirade of opposition.
As a result of the 7-3 vote, the president of the council will testify in favor of the proposed gambling casino at a public hearing next week. The Gettysburg's hearing is the first of 18 days of testimony that gambling regulators will hold around the state on nearly two dozen casino proposals. Those who oppose the gambling casino being built claim that the money guarantee that was promised to the council is no better than a bribe to guarantee support of the bill.
The state's slot-machine gambling law demands a 4% cut of slots revenue for the host municipality and county. If Gettysburg is unable to get $1 million from that, then Crossroads, the casino applicant, Crossroads Gaming Resort and Spa LP, will make up that difference. Crossroads Gaming CEO David LeVan said that the council's endorsement was certainly helpful but it would not be what makes or breaks the deal.