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Election Day Victory for Maryland Slots

The state of Maryland will soon become home to fifteen thousand slot machine terminals. Yesterday, voters in the Old Line State voted in favor of the referendum measure to make the controversial gambling devices legal, after a protracted legal battle. All segments of the state voted for the fruit machines, signifying a strong statement of confidence from the voting public of their faith in the plan. The chairperson for the pro-slots For Maryland For Our Future group called the devices “the most taxpayer friendly” option for revitalizing the state’s overextended budget, but not everyone is nearly so enthusiastic.

Comptroller Peter Franchot was one of the loudest voices against slot machines. Franchot warned the Legislature that the only people to profit from legalized slots gambling in Maryland would be casino bigwigs. He believes that gambling will not constitute a viable new revenue stream for the state, because the money made off casino taxes will just be funds that were not spent elsewhere. Slot opponents also made a hullabaloo over what they warn will be the gravely injurious moral consequences of widespread gambling.

But fans of the slot games remained hopeful. Governor Martin O'Malley supported the referendum, along with a diverse team of bipartisan organizations including the AFL-CIO and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. O’Malley is fervently hoping that taxable income from the games will pump desperately-needed funds into state coffers and create new jobs. Those involved in the sizeable state horseracing industry are also banking on the machines to keep their livelihood from going under. Effective immediately, the gambling machines may be installed at five pre-selected locations throughout the state.

Back to November 2008 Archive.