Press Release

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Rejects Slot Parlor At Gettysburg

Statement from Richard Moe: President, National Trust for Historic Preservation

Washington, D.C. (December 20, 2006)—Today, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board voted to deny a 5,000-slot machine gaming parlor, Crossroads Gaming Resort and Spa, planned just one mile from the hallowed battleground of Gettysburg, Pa. Since the proposed casino was first announced in April, 2005, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has worked diligently to defeat the project. In addition to serving as an active member of "Stop the Gettysburg Slots,” a national, grassroots advocacy coalition, the National Trust mobilized its 270,000 members by prominently featuring the Gettysburg issue on its web site, engaging members in Pennsylvania to attend key hearings and by creating a mechanism for National Trust members and web site visitors to support a Gettysburg petition.

Following is a statement by Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, responding to today's decision from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

"Gettsyburg dodged a potentially fatal bullet today. The National Trust for Historic Preservation and its 270,000 members are grateful that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has realized that America’s most famous shrine to its war dead is no place for a casino.  While the board should be congratulated for its decision, we need to acknowledge that the commercialization of Gettysburg is an ongoing concern.  Without continued smart growth and planning, the victory realized today will quickly become a distant memory.  Some places are just too important to be treated with anything less than the greatest respect, and Gettysburg is one of those places.  We're committed to the preservation of Gettysburg's historic character."