RSS 2.0 FeedVol. 3, No. 9, September 2007, Global Gaming Roundup
Maryland Movement
Governor, Republicans say slots are needed
The administration of Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley last month released a report it says shows that legalized slot machines are needed to save the state’s racing industry and to close a budget deficit estimated at $1.5 billion.
Just days later, House Republicans introduced a bill that would legalize up to 15,000 slot in the state. Under the proposal, applicants would be charged a minimum of $150 million for 3,500 machines and $50 million for 1,500 machines.
O’Malley ordered the study after pleas from the state’s horsemen convinced him that the racing industry—including the legendary Preakness Stakes—will die without slot revenues to make purses competitive with tracks in nearby states that do include slots.
Maryland officials visited racetracks in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware to take note of revenue statistics—and to count Maryland license plates in the parking lots.
“Tens of thousands of Marylanders are voting with their feet and traveling to West Virginia and Delaware to play slots,” wrote Maryland Labor, Licensing and Regulation Secretary Thomas E. Perez in the report. “By not having slots, Maryland has already left hundreds of millions of dollars in potential general fund revenue on the table.”
The report estimates that Maryland residents spend $350 million to $400 million a year on slots in West Virginia and Delaware, adding $150 million annually to the government coffers of those states.
The Republican bill does not mention racetracks, and while O’Malley may support slots, he probably would draw the line long before 15,000 units.
State Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, an ardent supporter of slots, told the Baltimore Sun that the report shows that “we missed the boat five years ago and continue to do so” in failures and delays in considering and voting on bills to legalize slots at the tracks.
Just days later, House Republicans introduced a bill that would legalize up to 15,000 slot in the state. Under the proposal, applicants would be charged a minimum of $150 million for 3,500 machines and $50 million for 1,500 machines.
O’Malley ordered the study after pleas from the state’s horsemen convinced him that the racing industry—including the legendary Preakness Stakes—will die without slot revenues to make purses competitive with tracks in nearby states that do include slots.
Maryland officials visited racetracks in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware to take note of revenue statistics—and to count Maryland license plates in the parking lots.
“Tens of thousands of Marylanders are voting with their feet and traveling to West Virginia and Delaware to play slots,” wrote Maryland Labor, Licensing and Regulation Secretary Thomas E. Perez in the report. “By not having slots, Maryland has already left hundreds of millions of dollars in potential general fund revenue on the table.”
The report estimates that Maryland residents spend $350 million to $400 million a year on slots in West Virginia and Delaware, adding $150 million annually to the government coffers of those states.
The Republican bill does not mention racetracks, and while O’Malley may support slots, he probably would draw the line long before 15,000 units.
State Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, an ardent supporter of slots, told the Baltimore Sun that the report shows that “we missed the boat five years ago and continue to do so” in failures and delays in considering and voting on bills to legalize slots at the tracks.
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