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Slots May Already Be "Legal" in
Maryland
Large parts of
Maryland, particularly Baltimore city and County, have tolerated
video poker machines for years. The machines are supposed to be
for amusement purposes, but, all too often, they are tools of
illegal gambling in the state. In spite of this knowledge, all
branches of Maryland’s authoritative bodies have almost completely
turned a blind eye. The latest study, conducted by the Abell
Foundation, of the Maryland gambling scene has revealed that what
was once assumed to be a few machines spotted around the state to
actually be a massive and unchecked illegal gambling industry.
The figures released last week in
the Abell Foundation report were not so easy to ignore. In the
city of Baltimore and Baltimore County alone, 3,500 devices
similar to slot-machines were identified. This is greater than
the number Delaware’s Dover Down Racetrack is allowed in legal
slot machines. Even harder to turn away from is the unbelievable
lack of regulations on the machines. The Abell Foundation report
ranges the unreported income from the machines between $63 million
to as high as $153 million. Licensed machines in Baltimore and
Baltimore County are supposed to be subject to a 10% amusement
tax. The unreported income from the machines would create as much
as a $15 million loss in tax revenues without the inclusion of
lost income taxes.
Maryland has
heard an infinite number of debates over the years on the topic of
legalizing slot machines. However, almost in the open air,
illegal slots operations have flourished. The Abell Foundation
found such operations to be a crucial business factor in many
convenience stores and bars in the state. Machines with any form
of resettable counter making it possible for patrons to amass
payout credits is considered illegal in the state of Maryland. At
least that is the ruling made by the Maryland Court of Appeals
back in 1985; causing many to question why these machines are
still licensed within the city and County of Baltimore. The
machines have been banned in counties like Anne Arundel, Harford,
and Carroll.
Montgomery
County Delegate Peter Franchot is making motions to gain some form
of control over the machines in the state. Yesterday, he made it
known that he is currently drafting a bill that would require the
state comptroller to make a yearly report of the number and
location of machines in the state. The bill could lead to proper
tax collection on the machines and a reduction in the presence of
illegal machines.
Franchot is already doing his
part to make a difference. One week after the Abell Foundation
report awarded the Hampden Food Market on 36th Street
in Baltimore the title of “slots palace,” Franchot held a press
conference outside of the market. By the time he arrived, the
market’s 17 poker machines had been reduced to 2. City zoning
laws only permits 2 machines.
The question still remains:
Where will those other 15 machines turn up next?
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