Members of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity held a press conference at Mt. Pisgah AME Church, 428 N. 41st St. in West Philadelphia Monday to announce their opposition to plans to extend gambling in Pennsylvania.

Weve come today because we want to raise our voice about an issue which we believe will have a hugely negative affect on the quality of life of already challenged neighborhoods and communities, said Black Clergy President the Rev. Jay Broadnax.

Broadnax said on June 7, the House of Representative passed what he called sweeping legislation to expand access to video and internet gaming video within the state including airports, truck stops and other places with valid liquor licenses.

The state has set a goal of a maximum of 30,000 of these machines in 2018, 35,000 in 2019 and 40,000 in 2020, he said.

Broadnax said supporters of the legislation said that the increase revenue from passage of this measure would increase state revenue and close the budget gap.

Our first concern is how this will impact neighborhoods and communities, he said.

Currently the majority of gaming take place in casinos like Sugar House and Parx which, for some constitute a harmless evening out. With this new legislation gaming traffic moves directly into our neighborhoods, in bowling alleys, supermarkets and Stop n Gos, many which are already nuisances and sources of disruption.

The Black Clergy noted not only will this create incentives for local residents to misuse already scarce personal resources but will also pose the risk of increased loitering, noise and other nuisances in already challenged areas.

Were also concerned about what this sort of legislation and this sort of revenue raising means in the quality of lives of individuals, he said. The idea of depending and relying on vices, such as gambling, as the way to balance the budget does not bode well for the long-term health of families.

If passed, the Black Clergy said the ability to go to the corner Stop N Go as opposed to a casino would possibly have a direct impact on those who lack the wherewithal to travel to casinos.

While a few would benefit financially, having extended access to these devices would only serve to foster an increase in behaviors that could quickly turn addictive and place at risk the financial stability of families in our communities, Broadnax said.

Not only did the clergy express concerns about the impact of the legislation if ratified but they also expressed concerns about the intent of the proposal.

It seems as though some of our legislators want to balance the budget on the backs of those who could least afford it, reaching into our urban neighborhoods where the highest concentration of liquor license holding establishments are, rather than finding a way of gleaming state revenue from those who are far better able to pay.

Citing underfunded schools, oppressive poverty, rate of any major city and depressed neighborhoods, Broadnax said expanding gambling to local communities would add another hardship to already struggling neighborhoods.

The Rev. Donald D. Moore of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church asked Gov. Tom Wolfe would veto the measure which he says would have the potential of devastating local communities by compounding the burdens of residents who cannot even afford the necessities of life.

Its almost as if they are saying that if they are not going to the casinos, lets bring the casinos to the people, Moore said.

House Bill 271 passed the House of representatives by a vote of 102 89, this bill authorizes new gaming options throughout the state and authorizes the proposal of Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs), similar to slot machines, in such places as bowling alleys catering clubs, truck stops, restaurants, golf courses and other establishments with valid liquor licenses.

The book of Isaiah said that they will frame mischief using law, said Philadelphia NAACP president and minister Rodney Muhammad. This is an attempt to exploit an already weakened community and attack a vulnerable demographic.

I wanted to be here on behalf of the NAACP and all concerned stakeholders to be a part of this effort to resist this more demonic kind of legislation, he added.

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Local Black clergy oppose expanding gambling - The Philadelphia Tribune