Board turns thumbs down on casino near Gettysburg National Military Park

Lincoln's immortal speech at Gettysburg

You won't soon hear the ringing of payoff bells on one-armed bandits near Gettysburg National Military Park, as Pennsylvania gaming officials have refused to issue the necessary permits for its location next to the park.

Instead the Gaming Control Board gave the one permit it had to issue to a resort in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania.

"We would like to commend the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for their decision to deny the application for a license to open a casino within one-half mile from Gettysburg National Military Park. The denial of this application represents the board’s commitment to protecting one of our nation’s most sacred places," said Cinda Waldbuesser, the Pennsylvania senior program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association.

Oak Ridge, Gettsyburg National Military Park

“The board’s decision shows that the public outcry by concerned Pennsylvania citizens was heard loud and clear. As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, thankfully, the board considered the damaging effects that the proposed casino would have on the historic charm of this national icon and the community," she added. "After months of debate, the Board also agrees that a casino is at odds with the family friendly atmosphere of Gettysburg and with the sacred land on which so many gave their lives for our country."

Also applauding the decision was the Civil War Trust, which also said the hallowed ground of Gettysburg was not the proper place for a casino. The proposed casino, in addition to proposed for an area within one-half-mile of the military park's border, would have been about 2 miles from its main entrance.

Nearly 300 historians, including some Pulitzer Prize winners, opposed the casino. Among those who urged the Gaming Board to deny the request were Susan Eisenhower, Emmy-winning filmmaker Ken Burns, and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough.

Pacific Northwest tribes expanding gaming facilities

The Yakama Nation plans to break ground in May on a $90 million casino expansion that will add a six-story hotel, conference facilities and a spa on its central Washington reservation near Yakima.

Across the Columbia River, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation are working on a $67 million project of their own. The expansion includes more casino space, a Cineplex and high-rise hotel amid the wheat fields and cattle ranches of northeast Oregon.

The depressed economy of the past couple of years has seen business declines in casinos across the country but the Yakama and Umatilla tribes are optimistic as customers are beginning to return. The latest Indian Gaming Industry Report says dozens of new and existing casino expansions are planned nationally.

Yakama tribal council chairman Harry Smiskin said, "In order for Legends Casino to remain competitive, we have to grow with the market."

The Umatilla tribe is hoping to attract a younger crowd to its Wildhorse Resort and Casino by adding 20,000 square feet of gambling space, a four-screen movie theater and a 10-story hotel. Wildhorse Resort already operates a casino, small hotel, RV park, golf course and museum four miles east of Pendleton, Oregon. The tribe has posted this brief animated video showing how the new resort will look from the outside when it is completed late this year: