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Pennsylvania Anti-Casino Protesters Gather

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania – As reported by the Pittsburg, Pennsylvania Post-Gazette: "Voices of protest filled the Capitol rotunda and spilled over the steps outside yesterday as anti-gambling groups urged legislators not to legalize slot machines in Pennsylvania and officials from health and social service programs demanded more state funding.

"`Let's send the casino cartel packing from our state,' exhorted Michael Geer, president of Pennsylvanians Against Gambling Expansion.

"He said his group is spending $2,000 to print 100,000 fliers listing problems caused by compulsive gambling, including bankruptcies, crime and suicide.

"…The anti-gambling groups will also sponsor radio and TV ads against slots.

"…Geer and the Rev. Tom Grey, a national anti-gambling advocate based in Illinois, criticized Gov. Ed Rendell for trying to legalize slot machines to raise up to $1 billion that would be used to cut property taxes in the state's 501 school districts.

"…Grey also criticized a gambling expansion effort that just cropped up this week, when the House Liquor Control Committee passed a bill that would permit thousands of bars and restaurants in Pennsylvania to have video poker and keno machines…"

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