Video Poker Machines

Hollywood Casino offers multiple entertainment options, like slots, table games, live racing and simulcasting, as well a gift shop and museum. This destination is owned and operated by Penn National Gaming, Inc., which one of the largest gaming companies in the nation. Casino hours: 24 hours a day. Games to play: Live table games include blackjack, craps, roulette, card games and baccarat, along with a 16-table poker room. The casino has 2,450 slots, including reel, video slot and video poker machines.

CUMBERLAND - Business is not so wonderful at the Wonder Bar these days, and gambling - or the lack of it - is to blame. The tavern south of downtown used to draw 20 or so customers by lunchtime most weekdays. But patronage has plummeted since its video poker machines disappeared a couple of weeks ago under threat of police raids. Only five stalwarts showed up to drink beer and watch television Friday afternoon. "It's really hurt us big-time," said bar manager Jimmy Smith. "That's what most of the people came in for, to play the darn machines.

A Baltimore County judge gave the county Police Department two weeks yesterday to determine whether video machines seized during raids of dozens of area establishments are gambling devices. Under Circuit Judge Dana M. Levitz's order, police must return the machines if no charges are filed. Levitz issued the ruling two days after meeting with lawyers from the Police Department and Carbond Inc., which last week filed papers asking the judge to order police to return the machines. If the machines are declared gambling devices by the police, the county state's attorney office will have two weeks to decide whether to prosecute the case, according to the judge's order.

Baltimore City Council members said Wednesday that they have devised a plan to cut the city's huge budget gap without implementing a controversial four-cent tax on bottled beverages. "We do believe we have a workable plan that spreads the responsibility to not just the residents, but the businesses, the nonprofts, the tourists … anyone that's going to have anything to do in and for and with Baltimore City," Councilwoman Helen Holton, who chairs the taxation and finance committee, said at a hastily organized news conference.

If you are on the third floor of the Carroll County government building and see the three commissioners conversing around the water cooler, it might be wise to sidle up to them and listen.They might be making important public policy that the rest of the public may never hear.The commissioners are amassing a very poor record of conducting the public's business in public.Their recent decision not to support the legalization of video poker machines in the county's 10 fraternal lodges was made at the back door of the county building as they were leaving for the day. It was the right decision, made in the wrong way.The commissioners decided to double the fees for restaurants DTC on the afternoon of Nov. 24 without any notice to the public or the county's restaurant operators.

Religious leaders gathered Wednesday morning to ask the Baltimore City Council to support a controversial package of taxes proposed by Mayor Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake to help plug a $121 million budget gap. The brief news conference organized by the BUILD interfaith coalition marked the first public event supporting Rawlings-Blake's tax package, which has drawn fierce opposition from retailers, beverage distributors, hotel owners and a host...

Police Blotter is a sampling of crimes from police reports in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Baltimore City Southeastern District Shooting: Darrell Terrell Barnes, 23, was shot in both legs in the 3000 block of McElderry St. just after midnight Sunday. A 16-year-old girl standing nearby also was shot in the legs. Both were released after treatment, but Barnes was arrested and held at Central Booking and Intake Center on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court on a drug charge.

If you are on the third floor of the Carroll County government building and see the three commissioners conversing around the water cooler, it might be wise to sidle up to them and listen.They might be making important public policy that the rest of the public may never hear.The commissioners are amassing a very poor record of conducting the public's business in public.Their recent decision not to support the legalization of video poker machines in the county's 10 fraternal lodges was made at the back door of the county building as they were leaving for the day. It was the right decision, made in the wrong way.The commissioners decided to double the fees for restaurants on the afternoon of Nov. 24 without any notice to the public or the county's restaurant operators.

A Baltimore vending machine company owner and his firm, convicted 11 years ago of illegal gambling in a statewide crackdown on video poker machines, has been charged again with similar violations.Baltimore County vice detectives Monday filed misdemeanor gambling charges against Nick Kosta Frank, 69, of the 2200 block of Dalewood Road in Lutherville; his firm, Nick Frank Vending, of the 1000 block of S. Lakewood Ave.; and six other people linked to his operations.The charges stem from police raids in October on 12 county locations where the Frank company had video poker and slot machines, according to vice Detective Carla Rossi.

There's nothing like a brand-new carryout restaurant to get the heart racing with excitement. Could this be the one? The place with the extra-special gyro or meatball sub? That's what I was thinking as I ventured into the Athena One Restaurant and Carry Out in Canton. Open for only two months, the Athena One is decorated with paintings of Greece with lots of pale blue and white. In a fitting East Baltimore touch, there are also two video poker machines (for amusement only, the sign reminds us)