Yogi Berra said, " If you don't know where you're going, you might wind up somewhere else." This statement emulates the problem with Philadelphia casinos, the people in charge are new at building casinos. Granted, there are a lot of sides to every issue, but this is an especially polarizing problem. Especially when the city, both its government and its people, is having trouble figuring out the effects of casino's in their city.
A number of casino's have already been granted their gaming licenses and building permits, including Foxwoods and Sugarhouse... not to mention the Harrah's that already exists in nearby Chester County.
The Sugarhouse Casino has won some supporters by sponsoring local T-Ball teams, as well as by promising to bring 1100 jobs into the neighborhood directly for the Casino, plus roughly 4500 additional jobs in its stores and restaurants.
There are just as many opposed, however, which has the politicians in befuddled bunches on each side of the issue, though not neccesarily by fault of their own, it is just complex.
The proponents say it will build up the areas and create hundreds of needed jobs. Those against the casinos say that these benefits will be negated by the problems that will come with the Casinos, like crime and traffic and a general lack of safety.
The question now is, do these gigantic "slot parlors" become upscale or lowscale? Do they attract the wealthy, Casino Royale clientele? Or buses of the elderly with sacks of nickels? The next, and current, mayor need to figure out what they want, and who they want to attract. The mayor must also decide if he wants simply slot machines or perhaps, cater to the current Texas Hold-Em phenomenon with table games as well.
In other words, will people stay here for slots, or will they be willing to drive, or even take the train from 30th Street for 8 dollars for the same slots plus poker and craps? The mayor, and the state, will have to decide where they want to the draw the line now that they have the casinos as an innevitability... just slots? Tables? Both? Shakespeare said, “Through tattered clothes small vices do appear; Robes and furred gowns hide them all.” The administration needs to decide which vices it will let slip.
Thus, the question is this, will the Philadelphia Casino's create a Vegas or an Atlantic City? One a greatly succesful oasis of jobs and opportunities in a desert, the other a crime ridden which is best known for being featured in a 50 year old board game, and an area that is only now starting to get its act together years after its establishment. So, which do we become? I say, Viva Las Vegas!