The mighty old slots of casinos could invade the blood-soaked gravel of the late Gettysburg, Pa. battlefield in the near future.

Later this year, the fate of Gettysburg will be determined by the state of Pennsylvania. The state will have to balance conflicting arguments and will determine whether or not to grant a gambling license to Chance Enterprise. At this point, the investors are pushing for slots no farther than a mile away from the battle site in Gettysburg. The decision can either hurt Gettysburg national historic land or facilitate tourism by delivering a larger population to Gettysburg, as well as an influx of jobs. If the proposal is approved, the country’s history and fortitude will be diminished because it shows no respect to the people who fought on that land.

The war ground that took about 50,000 lives in the nation's only civil war in 1863 is now being eyed for profit and greed. The soil's rich and historic root is good enough reason for this company to make its capitalistic gain, in yet another example of our culture’s love for money. Money is the root of all evil, our society has been controlled by it and we are the recipients of its power. The town of Gettysburg is ranked the highest of endangered sites by the Civil War Preservation Trust because of the new proposal to build casinos near the battlefield.

No Casino Gettysburg, a group targeted to stop investors from building casinos near Gettysburg believes rural people of Adams County will lose their money from gambling at the proposed slot haven and thinks casinos have nothing to do with Gettysburg and the townspeople.

The investors of Chance Enterprise, who proposed the $300 million facilities, have questioned the preservation list and charged the Civil War Preservation Trust with lying about the list to gain funds. Chance Enterprise counters the No Casino Gettysburg group with the belief that their proposed Crossroad Gaming Resort and spa will increase foot traffic and revenue to Gettysburg.

Casinos are not a good fit for a historical battle site. There’s no relation that I see between Gettysburg and gambling. I can’t imagine someone gambling for hours then walking to the site to witness and learn about the biggest battle on America’s soil. History has shown guns and alcohol don’t mix, but who am I to say how to make a quick buck? Gambling should be in remote areas, such as Las Vegas and the outskirts of major cities like San Diego. There’s no place for Chance Enterprise’s slot machines in Gettysburg - I believe it will bring attention that can only hamper and later destroy the well being of the town.

Not only do these investors look out for their own capitalistic gain, but in no way, shape or form does the group care about Gettysburg, Pa., where President Lincoln addressed the nation when it was eyeing destruction. Bringing casinos and the baggage that tags along with them would devastate the site and the little town that is home to tens of thousands of soldiers who lost their lives in what they believe in. Profit and tricky slots will not help Gettysburg, the government is the only answer to rebuilding and revamping a historical site that was once full of heart and bravery.