Market8 was a proposed casino project in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The project, which was to build a casino at the intersection of 8th Street and Market Street, failed to gain regulatory approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, with the license instead going to Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia.[1] The proposal was spearheaded by developer Ken Goldenberg along with financial support from Ira Lubert, who is a minority owner of Rivers Casino and owns 36.4% of Valley Forge Casino Resort, both of which are in Pennsylvania.[2] The project, as well as other casinos vying for the license, faced opposition from local community groups, including those in nearby Chinatown.[3]
| Market8 | |
|---|---|
   | |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Address | 8th Street & Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107 |
| Opening date | Never opened, failed to gain regulatory approval |
| Casino type | Commercial casino |
| Owner | Market East Associates LP |
| Coordinates | 39°57′04″N 75°09′13″W / 39.9511°N 75.1535°W |
Background
editIn 2013, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) announced that another gambling license was available for a casino in the city of Philadelphia as the license previously issued to Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia was revoked when they did not build a casino. Rivers Casino Philadelphia, then known as Sugarhouse Casino, opposed the new license saying it would be detrimental for their business.[4] Six different projects applied for the license to the PGCB. In addition to Market8 and the ultimately successful proposal Live!, the other proposals were by Wynn Resort; Tower Investments, whose casino would be called The Provence; Casino Revolution, run by Joseph Procacci; and Hollywood Casino where the ownership would be split between a public benefit corporation and Penn National Gaming, who own Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, which opened as a casino in 2008.[2]
Controversy
editThe project stirred up controversy in Philadelphia with a number of anti-gambling groups. A number of participants and groups opposing the casino were from Chinatown. The groups argued that casinos caused a multitude of problems and that adding another casino to the city would make those issues worse. Casinos in Pennsylvania have been noted for targetting some of their gaming and marketing specifically towards Asian customers, with Rivers Casino proposing in 2013 that it would add an "Asian Gaming Center" conditional on the expansion of the casino floor.[3] Protesters against the issuance of a second license for a casino in Philadelphia asserted that casinos cause crime and addiction.[5]
Fate
editThe PGCB did not elect to give the second license in Philadelphia to Market8, instead awarding to Live! Casino near the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. One of the major factors Live! was chosen over Market8 was that Live! has parking and that the projections for Market8 customers to use public transit to visit the casino were overblown.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b Brubaker, Harold; Nadolny, Tricia L. (18 November 2014). "For gaming board, casino amid sports venues made sense". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ a b Brennan, Chris; Collins Walsh, Sean (24 September 2013). "Who's behind the curtain on casino bids?". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ a b Lin, Jennifer (9 May 2013). "Many from Chinatown protest 2d Philly casino". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ Gates, Kellie Patrick (16 June 2014). "Court dismisses suit alleging state gaming board lacks authority to re-issue former Foxwoods license". WHYY. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ MacDonald, Tom (24 September 2013). "Casino opponents protest at Philly hearing on plans for second gaming hall". WHYY. Retrieved 16 April 2024.