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Maryland governor proposes legalized slots

"The Democratic governor said he has not settled yet on all the details of his proposal but he would use as a model a slots bill that passed the House of Delegates in 2005. That plan called for 9,500 machines at four locations -- one each in Anne Arundel, Harford, Frederick and Allegany counties. That would have allowed for slots at Laurel Park racetrack but not at Pimlico.

"O'Malley has not said where he would put the machines but favors state ownership and expects they would generate about $550 million a year for school construction, education and other needs. In addition, about $100 million would go to supplement horse racing and $6 million to help problem gamblers.

"...Indeed, O'Malley's position appears to have evolved. The man who is now pushing for slots has historically been lukewarm on the issue, saying on the one hand that he supports slots at the racetrack to save racing jobs and on the other calling gambling in 2005 'a pretty morally bankrupt' way to fund education and other priorities.

"As recently as last month, he said he wanted to use slots revenue only to fund capital projects, but Tuesday he proposed using $425 million in gambling proceeds to support the state's operating budget..."

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