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    Pennsylvania Lawmaker Seeks 10-Mile Buffer Zone for Casino at Gettysburg

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    An Associated Press reported highlighted the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reported that in 2011, gambling revenues in the Keystone State rose 22 percent to more than $3 billion. With numbers like that, it is hard to imagine a municipality or locality not wanting a gaming establish built to attract jobs and other ancillary business. But state Rep. Paul Clymer, R-Bucks, wants a 10-mile buffer zone around important historical locations, as reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

    What sites in particular are trying to be protected?

    According to the No Casino Gettysburg Network, PA HB2082 would prevent any casino from being built within 10 miles of two historic sites: the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Flight 93 Memorial. Both sites represent two of the more important historical locations in Pennsylvania.

    Where does Pennsylvania rank among states for gambling revenue?

    According to a report from the USA Today, Pennsylvania ranks as the third-largest gaming market nationally. The report mentions Pennsylvania trails only Nevada ($10 billion in revenue) and New Jersey ($3.3 billion). The report mentions Pennsylvania's rise to the top was a result of the legalization of table games late in 2010.

    What groups are for and against the buffer zone bill?

    According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report, casino developers, businessmen and many residents are in favor of building casinos. Plus, the report mentions Adams County commissioners, where Gettysburg is located, have stated a 10-mile buffer would stretch through Gettysburg and into Maryland. On the other side of the argument are preservation groups like No Casino Gettysburg and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in addition to local historians, as reported by The Evening Sun.

    What could a casino bring to any proposed area?

    According the Post-Gazette report, a resort destination-type casino built in Adams County could generate up to 1,000 jobs and millions of dollars for the local economy, which explains why many residents and business owners are in favor of a gaming destination.

    What does the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board think?

    Before the Gettysburg area was turned down for a casino license, the PGCB did not believe a gaming facility would adversely affect the Gettysburg Battlefield or have a negative impact on its importance as a landmark and historic location, as reported by PhillyBurbs.com.

    Jason Gallagher is a longtime Pennsylvania resident. He has experiences in trends and developments in many regions from having lived in many parts of the Keystone State, and currently resides in the Pittsburgh area.

     

    1 comment

    • datruthiness  •  3 mths ago
      This land does not belong to them but to the nation. Hate to say that as I am all for maintaining property rights, but Gettysburg is literally hallowed ground.
      "But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."
      • Sharma 3 mths ago
        Then if you do certainly believe this why do we have ghost tours, bus tours monuments all over and continue to blacktop and build over our "hallowed ground? Do you think President Abe Lincoln was just talking about casinos? The Military Park is already protected by the United States. It has the Park Service. My son is in the Airforce and is now serving 17 years so far. In Dover De the Airmen come to Gettysburg to clean up our park. It is a National Military Park Many bases send their troops to local Military Parks every year because of it. Never at any time would a casino be built in the Park! This is about having a new legitimate business provide jobs, tax relief and revenue to our County and State. It is about having our Freedom of Choice. You can't buffer that! Buffer Zone Bill HB9082 is a personal vendetta being made public. However , the majority of residents our local Reps and pretty much the majority of US Citizens realize it cannot be made law. Freedom of Choice can not be stuck in a n invisible "bubble zone" selecting out one type of businees a group deems as unsavory to their core. I might not like lumber companies, should I ask a rep to help put a buffer zone in my County to keep it out?
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