It looks as though Marylanders are ready for slots. Sick of the debate, or concerned that state budget woes will mean higher taxes or reductions in everything from school teachers to 911 operators, we're headed out on Tuesday to amend the state Constitution. According to the most recent polls, a majority of us are willing to authorize the installation of 15,000 slot machines - and, given current economic conditions, it makes sense: Good idea and right on time.
But a couple of cautions need mention on this Sunday before Election Day. If you've already made up your mind to support slots, you can move on to another story or the supermarket coupons.
But if you're like me and haven't quite decided how to vote on Question 2, read on. I think you should keep a few things in mind, starting with this: It looks like we're going to be eating our own.
Maryland is going to have to count on Marylanders to play the slots in order for this experiment in revenue creation to be successful.
I didn't realize it before I checked, but a majority of states already have slot machines. "There are 37 states that have some form of legalized electronic gaming device - including traditional slot machines, video poker and bingo - at Indian casinos, commercial casinos, racetrack casinos, and/or bars, restaurants or other licensed establishments," says an organization that won't be satisfied until slots stand in a long line from sea to shining sea. That's the American Gaming Association, the lobby for the casino industry in Washington.
Maryland has the issue on the ballot Tuesday while Ohio voters, who rejected 31,500 slots at racetracks in 2006, are being asked to approve a privately owned casino in the southwestern part of the state.
But, even without Maryland and Ohio getting into the act, there are a lot more slot machines than there used to be, a lot of places for people to "entertain" themselves by blowing their money - and without packing the carry-on bag.
Long gone are the days when, if you wanted to play the slots, you had to travel to Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Because there are so many slot machines in the United States - including in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia - they can no longer be viewed as a way for Maryland to score revenue from the pocketbooks and wallets of "tourist" or "destination" gamblers.
