Gambling foes to gather
The Rev. Patrick Walsh understands slot machines at Seven Springs may be a done deal. But though most of those playing the quarters at the popular resort likely will be from out of town, Walsh is concerned about the implications gambling could have on families closer to home. "You can't say it's not going to impact people in our own community. They're going to go up there," said Walsh, pastor of Rockwood Christian & Missionary Alliance Church near New Centerville. For the first time since Seven Springs applied for its slots license, anti-gambling activists are mustering united opposition in the county. Dianne Berlin, volunteer coordinator of CasinoFreePA and vice chairwoman of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, will be the featured speaker at a community meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church. "I think there is considerable opposition to gambling, but people are not speaking up," Walsh said. "There's been a lot of PR from proponents of gambling, from the governor on down. But they've not looked at the impact it's going to have on our community and families." Seven Springs and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in neighboring Fayette County are the only two applicants for the state's two resort-gambling licenses. If approved, Seven Springs intends to build a 500-slot casino.
Middlecreek Township supervisors already have come out against the plan on moral and practical grounds in objections filed with Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in Harrisburg.
A hearing for the two resort licenses is scheduled for Oct. 25 in Harrisburg.
Even though the slots will be open only to resort guests who spend $25, Berlin said the ramifications will run deep.
"It's not just going to be the people from out of town who are going to gamble," she said from her home in Lancaster County.
Berlin said the forum will provide information on the impact of casinos on localities, how the law was passed to legalize gambling in Pennsylvania and why it should be repealed.
"It's never too late to repeal a law - and especially a bad law," Berlin said.
"People don't understand all of this. I wish I didn't know as much as I do, because it makes me sick."
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