Maryland voters sign off on slots

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008

Voters broke the years-long legislative impasse – slots were banned in 1968 — by narrowly authorizing a constitutional amendment to legalize video slots at five locations statewide that will generate sorely needed revenue for state coffers.

The controversial referendum passed statewide, although exact totals were not available at press time. The issue had great resonance in Southern Maryland where slot machines dominated the landscape in the 1950s and 1960s, leaving families penniless and tarnishing the region's image until they were removed.

Charles passed the measure 64 to 36 percent. Calvert passed it 63 to 37 percent and St. Mary's County passed it 63 to 37 percent.

Well-financed slots proponents successfully argued that gambling proceeds will eliminate the need for painful cuts caused by large budget deficits. Opponents tried to make the case that slots carry wide social costs with questionable economic payoff.

Supporters say slots will generate roughly $660 million annually for the state — about half for education — once they are fully implemented in fiscal 2013. It is the crucial third piece of Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley's plan, along with tax increases and budget reductions, that the General Assembly approved last fall to eliminate the $1.5 billion structural budget deficit.

The balance after funding for education will be divvied up between slots licensees, the state's ailing thoroughbred horse racing industry, minority business initiatives and other programs.

Gambling opponents who were heavily outspent relied heavily on the faith community to defeat the referendum, but their efforts fell short.

The Ministers Alliance of Charles County and Vicinity opposed the referendum in a statement Oct. 11.

The battle now shifts to communities where slots parlors are proposed — Allegany, Anne Arundel, Cecil and Worcester counties and Baltimore city — for zoning approval once the exact sites are identified.

abrody@somdnews.com