Another Vote on Slots Coming in Maryland
In one Maryland location, it’s time to bring slot machines in. The state wants to bring the machines to Anne Arundel County and reap the benefits of the machines. Slots are highly lucrative and legislators of the state know it. Since the recession hampered any growth in the economy and helped to create huge deficits, states throughout the US are looking for money-generating ways to bring in cash. Slots are a great way since casinos for ages have been benefiting from the games. In fact, Las Vegas reported pre-recession that slot machines made up on average 60% of their total revenues. That’s a huge number for any business and it’s no wonder legislators are focused and trying to legalize and regulate slots gambling. They know how much money is at stake.
The US made a mistake in 2006. The UIGEA, or Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, of 2006 was brought to the market as a means of regulating online gambling. Though it was meant to help, looking back many legislators are noting how much it hampered the US. Gamblers want to play online and when the US closed down online gambling, they made the move to offshore casinos. The problem here is that billions of dollars were channeled out of the country. The US lost billions of dollars by creating the UIGEA and by all counts, it was ineffective in stopping gambling.
A vote is coming up in Maryland. The state is gong to bring the slot machine issue up. The County Council is voting on a zoning bill that will either move the slot machine project forward or stop it immediately. The council is divided on the idea of bringing the slot machines to the location, and if it passes it would be the largest slot machine casino in the state. It would also be right by the mall and is expected to be up and running by late 2011. There is speculation that there will be illegal table a game if it comes to pass. But if it fails, the state will have to find another location for their slot machine casino, one that does not put it near the mall.
