Unintended Consequences of MD Slots?

Back in November 2008, you almost would've forgotten that there was a presidential election going on in this state. Why? After all, at 8:00:01, you *knew* Obama had 10 electoral votes.

Megabucks (and not the multi-state lottery game) were being spent by both sides trying to convince us to either approve or shoot down a Constitutional amendment to permit Video Lottery Terminals (slots) gaming in our dear state.

It's funny how in 2003, when Bob Ehrlich (R) was governor, Mike Busch (D) couldn't see his way to permitting slots in the state. It was a horrible idea, and we didn't need them, and all sorts of evil would befall the state if we were to allow them. And, for 4 years, we didn't get slots.

Fast forward to 2007, now Martin O'Malley (D) is governor, and the economy is starting to go to hell in a handbasket. O'Malley called a Special Session and Speaker Busch jumped right in line saying that, hey, the economy was bad, and slots would now be good.

Comptroller Peter Franchot (D), a slots opponent all along, to his credit, said that he still thought it was a bad idea. I'm not going to rehash all the arguments, the election is over. (Whew!)

However, I gotta tell you, it's not the lottery terminals I had a problem with. It's the METHOD of bringing them to Maryland that stunk. Those who opposed the amendment will be able to point out next year that the slots, which will just possibly be coming online, are not going to live up to the promises made, and may organize to oust the rascals that voted to put the question to the voters. Can I help?

You see, if the Assembly had grown a pair, they could have simply passed a bill authorizing slots and the parlors could be well under construction or even open right now. There really was no need to amend the Constitution to do it. The bill could not have been sent to referendum because, under the Constitution, it is a "revenue bill," and, therefore, not referrable.

I did mention unintended consequences, right? Back in 2002, I was spending an evening at the Charles Town Races and Slots in West Virginia. They had just begun construction on a new garage and expanded gaming floor, and I had the chance to speak to a security guard. He told me that they hoped that MD would pass slots in 2003. Why? Because the WV General Assembly would be ready to consider adding table games in their state. Now that slots are also in Pennsylvania, how soon do you think they can pass it?

Cool! No more 2-1/2 hour drive to Atlantic City to have to deal with their attitude. No more 5 hour flights to Vegas, where western hospitality was a lot of fun, but the jet lag sucks. We may soon go to WV and get it all there!

Full Disclosure: I have gambled in slot parlors in PA, DE, WV, and other states, and will likely also do so in MD. I have no problems if an adult wants to spend some of his entertainment money playing slots. But, in the end, I also voted "AGAINST" the amendment.