East Boston Casino Opponents to Host Community Open House on April 18

(East Boston, April 16) A casino at Suffolk Downs in East Boston would drastically and negatively change East Boston. This is the central message of a new group that has formed in opposition to any proposal to bring casino gambling in any form to the neighborhood.

Comprising a diverse cross-section of citizens from
the historic neighborhood and beyond, No Eastie Casino is launching a two-pronged grassroots
opposition campaign, effective immediately:

1) an education campaign to inform residents of all the ways a casino will affect their way of life and

2) a campaign to draw a majority of votes against a
proposal for a casino at Suffolk Downs when the issue moves on to a local referendum.

The group has invited members of the community to an Open House on Wednesday, April 18, at
7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Brooks Street in East Boston.

The overall objectives of the Open House are information and action. Specifically, organizers hope to connect like-minded neighbors around this issue; summarize the gaming legislation and give an up-to-date timeline of the process; summarize the group’s rationale for opposing a casino; hear neighbors’ concerns about a possible casino; and enlist neighbors to assist the effort in a variety of ways.

Attendees will discuss many of the group’s reasons for opposing a casino at Suffolk Downs,
including increased traffic and crime, a negative effect on small businesses and real estate values
in the area, the dishonest political path the expanded gambling bill took, and social reasons like problem gambling and related addictions.

Members are confident that when residents become aware of the facts regarding a casino’s impact on their neighborhood, many will oppose it.

“The pro-casino voices have had their say for the last several years,” said group member Giordana
Mecagni, who moved to East Boston within the last six years. “Frankly, they’re being disingenuous
when they insist that this will be good for us. It’s time to let us decide what is good for us, and we’re
saying a casino is not it.”

For more information on No Eastie Casino — including the Open House and facts about the impact of casinos on host communities — visit www.noeastiecasino.com or join its Facebook group.