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Allegany County seems to be in favor of bringing slot
machines to Maryland, the question is will Maryland approve slot machines?
The candidates for Allegany County commissioner were questioned on the slot
machine issue last week at a forum of the League of Women Voters of Allegany
County—and the candidates’ answers were surprisingly positive. The opinions
ranged on where the slot machines should be placed, and how the revenue will
benefit the local community but a majority of the commissioner candidates
expressed the positive benefits slot machines could bring to the economy in
Maryland.
Will the slot machines be placed at racetracks or stand-alone casinos?
Candidate Jim Stakem commented that he would prefer the slot machines at the
existing racetracks. Other candidates like Dale Lewis believed there was a
tradeoff for gaining slot machines. He commented, “"If [slot machines] would
come to Allegany County and I would be your commissioner, there would be
some hardcore negotiations. [Slot machines] would not come into the county
for nothing. There would be a price to pay." Lewis went on to say that by
bringing slot machines the county would have to provide additional services
for sheriff, roads and infrastructure. Candidate Wade said: “The issue is
funding. I'm in favor of [slot machines] as long as we tax them sufficiently
that it is a benefit to the citizens of Allegany County. I will not yield on
that."
But not everyone had positive things to say about the slot machines,
specifically candidates Lipski and Rogue spoke against the slots noting that
the slot machines will not offset the costs of increased services like
sheriffs, gambling addiction treatment and other services. “I'm against them
for social reasons," Roque stated. "If slots were to come we are going to
have these additional expenses. Somehow these expenses will have to be
supported. ... I can think of nothing except, perhaps, increased taxes."
So it seems that there is identifiable support for slot machines in
Maryland, but will the alleged economic growth convince the state that slot
machines ought to be legal?
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