Hallwatch reports
Planning Commission may approve SugarHouse Casino today

They did. I hope there was reporter at the hearing, because one of the planning commission memebers called the public testimony "bull****".

yup:

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20070523_Planners_OK_SugarHouse.html

Chris Brennan's article quotes City Planning Commission member Pat Eiding as saying

"Excuse me. I'm talking, I listened to all your bull---- out there."

KYW's headline focuses on how pleased the City Planning Board is with Sugarhouse's plans:

City Planning Board Pleased With Proposed SugarHouse Casino

by KYW's Mark Abrams

Development plans for the proposed SugarHouse Casino in Fishtown get a favorable reception from the city’s planning commission.

Despite heckling and boos from opponents, the city planning commission on Tuesday, gave its blessing to the design and development plans for the proposed SugarHouse Casino along the Delaware waterfront here in Fishtown:

"The panel also gave a thumbs-up to creation of a Commercial Entertainment District, a change in the current zoning in this area."

But that zoning change still requires City Council action and a bill hasn’t been introduced. Councilman Frank DiCicco, in whose district SugarHouse is located, has vowed he will not introduce the zoning change bill.

SugarHouse is hoping to begin construction this summer and open a casino containing 3,000 slots by 2008

http://www.kyw1060.com/pages/493350.php?contentType=4&contentId=532322

Will there ever be "real" gambling - ie card tables, blackjack, roulette, ...? That's where the jobs come in.

Opening a big shiny metal box store with 3000 slot machines requires very few workers.

New legislation at the state level would have to be introduced to allow real table gaming. Currently they have "virtual table gaming" up in Bensalem.