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Delaware May Expand Gambling

DOVER, Delaware – As reported by the Delaware State News: "Delaware's three gambling parlors will stay open nearly nonstop and feature more slot machines under a proposal Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, legislators and casino officials announced Thursday.

"In exchange for longer hours and more machines, the casinos would pay the state a yearly fee of $300 to $1,000 per new machine.

"The Department of Finance estimates the fees, combined with the normal share of the increased slots proceeds, would generate an additional $2.3 million in the current budget and $11.4 million for the state in fiscal 2007, which begins July 1.

"Supporters expected to introduce legislation on Tuesday to implement the plan, which also includes a guarantee the state will use at least $1 million a year from slot machine revenue to help gambling addicts.

" 'The real money here is in the additional machines that will be allowed and the additional hours,' said Rep. William A. Oberle, R-Newark, who sponsored the legislation legalizing slot machines at the state's three horse racing tracks.

"…Gov. Minner had previously opposed 24-hour operations for casinos, but relented in the face of looming out-of-state threats to the state's fourth-largest revenue source…"

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