Title
Exercising the host county option under Act 42 of 2017 to prohibit the placement of any Video Gaming Terminals within Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, Act 42, signed by Governor Wolf on October 30, 2017, permits the possible placement of Video Gaming Terminals at select locations across the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The Act permits up to five Video Gaming Terminals to be placed at “truck stop establishments” in the Commonwealth. Truck Stop Establishment is defined as a premise that: contains diesel islands for refueling, has sold or will sell an average of 50,000 gallons of diesel or biodiesel fuel for the twelve months, contains a convenience store, is situated on a parcel not less than three acres, and has at least 20 parking spaces dedicated to commercial vehicles; and
WHEREAS, Section 1.4 of Act 42 enacted 4 Pa. C.S. § 4506(a), which creates a host county option whereby certain counties, by resolution of their governing body, may prohibit the placement of Video Gaming Terminals within the county; and
WHEREAS, As the governing body for the City and County of Philadelphia, City Council is authorized by Act 42 to take this action to prohibit the placement of Video Gaming Terminals in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Both the City of Philadelphia and the School District of Philadelphia benefit financially from the casino located here. Since 2012, the City has received nearly $4 million annually in local share revenue from gaming, while the School District has received $5 million annually; and
WHEREAS, The City also receives gaming revenue from the Commonwealth in order to further reduce the Wage Tax. The City has received over $86 million annually for this purpose since 2009; and
WHEREAS, While the current limitations of Act 42 make placing Video Gaming Terminals within the City of Philadelphia unlikely, this Council nevertheless finds it necessary to exercise the host county option under 4 Pa. C.S. § 4506(a) to prohibit placement of Video Gaming Terminals at this time, so as to send a strong message that this type of gambling expansion will not be accepted here; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia continues to grapple with issues related to so-called “Stop and Go” establishments with liquor licenses that cause significant nuisances in their neighborhoods. The addition of Video Gaming Terminals to such establishments would only further increase their negative impact; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That pursuant to 4 Pa. C.S. § 4506(a), the Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby exercises the host county option afforded thereunder, and prohibits the placement of Video Gaming Terminals within the City and County of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Resolution be delivered to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board no later than December 29, 2017, as required under § 4506(a).
End