Slots Yes or No

[Otter]

Ehrlich Outlines His Bid For Slots
Gov.-Elect Calls Win 'Referendum' On Gambling

By Jo Becker
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 4, 2003; Page A01

Maryland Gov.-elect Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) claimed a mandate yesterday for legalizing slot machine gambling in the wake of his November election and outlined a plan to pressure local governments to help him pass the proposal through a General Assembly controlled by Democrats.

Complete item here

 

[Kizzy]

I say make slots legal. Why should we have residents of Maryland driving to Deleware to play the slots and taking the money. Maryland needs to do something. We just are not bringing in enough revenue and I would must rather see slots than a huge increase in state taxes and cuts in state services.

 

[vraiblonde]

I tend to lean toward slots - why not? We already have forms of gambling in the State anyway. Why is this different than horse racing, Keno, scratch cards, etc.?

Get 'em, Bobby!

 

[Atir211]

Originally posted by joeyinlexpark
You mean I get to blow more money!! I am all for it

Blow some money my way!

 

[chuckster]

After seeing what happened to Atlantic City and what didn't happen to Atlantic City, I am against slots.

 

[Ken King]

Originally posted by chuckster
After seeing what happened to Atlantic City and what didn't happen to Atlantic City, I am against slots.

I don't think it was slots but someone's vision of making Atlantic City the east coast Las Vegas and then they couldn't pull it off.

 

[Biscuit]

I dont see much a difference between slots and keno. Keno is every five minutes.

I can't see st mary's turning into atlantic city. While i am to young to remember I hear that the land taxes increased by 500% when they took them out.

But i am curious as to what the revenue would be used for. I would like to see My taxes go down if they come back, not just not increase!

 

[SmallTown]

I say slots should be a go.. Not like someone is going to force you to play..

As far as Atlantic City goes.. It is getting better there these days.. They finally realized several years back that they need to offer more than just slots and game tables.. They have upgraded their performers, as well as worked hard to really clean up the area.. Heck, about 3 or 4 years ago they finally realized that yes, plants and flowers DO grow in NJ.. And they are beginning to utilize the one feature that sets them apart from Vegas.. The beach..

But I don't see MD becoming like Atlantic City with having slots..

Anybody know how the new casinos down south are doing?? They used to just have the river boats, but now they have regular hotel/casinos down there.. From the pictures, it looks like the place has stayed pretty nice.. But who knows how long it may have taken to get such a picture.

 

[Tonio]

I'm for slots ONLY at the racetracks, like in Delaware and West Virginia. Putting slots anywhere else would be a tragic mistake. Southern Maryland had slots in most bars and drugstores through the '60s. Very little of the take went into the local economy--most of it went to the slot owners, who were able to buy the local politicians.

 

[Oz]

Originally posted by Tonio
I'm for slots ONLY at the racetracks, like in Delaware and West Virginia. Putting slots anywhere else would be a tragic mistake. Southern Maryland had slots in most bars and drugstores through the '60s.

Erlich's intention for slots is just that, as I understand it. I don't think anyone would be in favor of a slot machine on every corner.

 

[Oz]

Originally posted by joeyinlexpark
Iat least last time I was there I didnt get propositioned by a call girl with rather big hooters right in the open, so yeah its a better place now..... I think they should only put them in bars though,

What, the hookers?

 

[chuckster]

You all have missed my point on Atlantic City. I lived right outside of there prior to gambling being passed. The first time it was up for vote it lost. Then the Trumps of the world promised to clean up the city, get rid of the slums and put money away for senior citizens. What a crock of dung. The city a few blocks from the Casinos is still a mess, the slums are still there and I bet not much money has been put away for the senior citizens.

Yes nobody forces people to gamble but for some people it is an addiction. I have heard of many a pay check dropping in the slots.
Money for food and rent lost at the roll of the dice. Family values shot with the spin of the wheel. If you think it will stop with the slots,,,, well I would like to take the odds on that bet.

Will it bring the state money? Sure but as Roy Dyson says that money will have to be used for treatment programs, crime prevention and bankruptcy protection for those who fall victim to slots.

A better way to do things is to cut the waste or pork from Annapolis.

 

[Oz]

Originally posted by chuckster
Yes nobody forces people to gamble but for some people it is an addiction. I have heard of many a pay check dropping in the slots. Money for food and rent lost at the roll of the dice. Family values shot with the spin of the wheel. If you think it will stop with the slots,,,, well I would like to take the odds on that bet.

Will it bring the state money? Sure but as Roy Dyson says that money will have to be used for treatment programs, crime prevention and bankruptcy protection for those who fall victim to slots.

A better way to do things is to cut the waste or pork from Annapolis.

If we have slots at Rosecroft, Pimlico and Ocean Downs, (are there any more tracks in Maryland?) then we have 3 attractions in Maryland that I would attend and kill a few quarters and a Saturday night on occasion. I can't see that corrupting the whole state, any more than Atlantic City corrupts the entire state of New Jersey. Can you?

I guess this issue is where the social liberal in me comes out.

 

[Ken King]

Originally posted by chuckster
Yes nobody forces people to gamble but for some people it is an addiction. I have heard of many a pay check dropping in the slots.
Money for food and rent lost at the roll of the dice. Family values shot with the spin of the wheel. If you think it will stop with the slots,,,, well I would like to take the odds on that bet.

In that case the state ought to do away with Keno, lottery, and bars as people p!ss away their money there too. I see it as a little harmless fun and those that fall victim to this vice would have just found some other place to demonstrate what losers they are.

 

[Oz]

Originally posted by Ken King
In that case the state ought to do away with Keno, lottery, and bars as people p!ss away their money there too. I see it as a little harmless fun and those that fall victim to this vice would have just found some other place to demonstrate what losers they are.

Actually, in bars, they drink their money away, and when they're drunken driving home, they stop to buy more cigarettes and a lottery ticket. (Unless the bar sells Keno!) And then they p! - Oh - nevermind - you know the drill.



Amen about the vices though. No sense chasing them to Dover, or Atlantic City. Let 'em drop quarters in our own towns. Meanwhile, they can dine in our restaurants, shop in our stores, and stay in Maryland motels along the way, and watch a horse race or two. (Which is a lot of fun. I love watching the trotters at Ocean Downs and passing a nice summer Ocean City evening.)

 

[Sharon]

Originally posted by Ken King
I see it as a little harmless fun and those that fall victim to this vice would have just found some other place to demonstrate what losers they are.

@ Ken

Chuckster, just because some people have problems with something doesn't mean the rest of us do, and shouldn't be able to enjoy certain activities. If people are that willing to toss their paychecks away at the roll of the dice (or whatever) they probably didn't have substance in the first place. Addiction my They choose their path and make it their habit.

 

[giggles04]

Originally posted by Tonio
I'm for slots ONLY at the racetracks, like in Delaware and West Virginia. Putting slots anywhere else would be a tragic mistake. Southern Maryland had slots in most bars and drugstores through the '60s. Very little of the take went into the local economy--most of it went to the slot owners, who were able to buy the local politicians.

I do not like the idea of slots being in bars down here again. They were at one time... and then they were taken out. My mom when she was little used to play the slots at Bean's bar. A new governor will come in and take them away- if they get approved this time around. That's what happened the last time wasn't it? I just don't think it is worth it, especially if we don't see any of the money from it.

 

[Oz]

Originally posted by giggles04
I do not like the idea of slots being in bars down here again.

This isn't part of the proposal, so why discuss it? The plan for slots is to put them at the horse racing facilities (just like Delaware did!) Not in every bar. Maryland isn't going to start licensing Casino's. We're strickly looking at Slot Machines at Rosecroft, Pimlico and Ocean Downs - the 3 horse tracks in Maryland to my knowledge.

 

[Frank]

If it stays at racetracks - it makes sense to me to have them. I've seen estimates of lost revenue to Delaware from Maryland residents, and it doesn't make sense to not allow them there - clearly people are going there to use them, and would likely use them HERE if they were here.

People are already gambling at the racetrack - adding slots isn't going to change the nature of the area around them.

 

[Tonio]

Originally posted by Oz
This isn't part of the proposal, so why discuss it? The plan for slots is to put them at the horse racing facilities (just like Delaware did!) Not in every bar. Maryland isn't going to start licensing Casino's. We're strickly looking at Slot Machines at Rosecroft, Pimlico and Ocean Downs - the 3 horse tracks in Maryland to my knowledge.

Oz, it's being discussed partly because of our area's history, but mostly because anti-gambling activists are using the "slippery slope" argument.

I suggest that Ehrlich offer a constitutional amendment prohibiting casino gambing except at the tracks.