Philadelphians citizens support casinos
Philadelphians favor bringing slot parlors to the city, but are split on the sites chosen, a Pew Charitable Trusts poll released Wednesday showed.
Overall, 53 percent of city residents support slot-machine gambling, while 41 percent are against it, according to the poll, which was commissioned by Pew’s Philadelphia Research Initiative.
Those polled said they support plans for the SugarHouse Casino on the Delaware River in Fishtown, but oppose the idea of a casino in Market Street East, where the Foxwoods Casino is proposed.
Sixty percent support the SugarHouse site, while 35 percent are opposed. In the case of the Market East proposal, 57 percent opposed the plan, while 39 percent favor it.
Foxwoods said April 8 it hoped to build a casino inside the former Strawbridge’s department store at 8th and Market streets.
Both casinos have received support from Mayor Michael Nutter. The SugarHouse plan faces a May 6 hearing with state regulators. Foxwoods needs a zoning variance, which will be considered by City Council on May 7.
