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Maryland, Pennsylvania Anti-Gambling Leaders Team Up

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania – As reported by the Baltimore Sun: "Anti-gambling leaders from Maryland met yesterday with their Pennsylvania counterparts, hoping to establish a defensive perimeter against the expansion of gambling in the Mid-Atlantic.

"…The activists hope to form a coalition of states comprising Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania to keep out casino-style gambling.

"The unusual meeting yesterday of about two dozen anti-gambling legislators and activists comes as Pennsylvania's legislature considers a proposal to allow slot machines at 12 sites around the state, with up to 5,000 of the gambling devices at each location.

"…Del. Peter Franchot, a Montgomery County Democrat who headed the Maryland group, told the Pennsylvanians to reject the idea promoted by the gambling industry that the expansion of gambling is inevitable.

"He said Marylanders who oppose gambling were told the same thing but managed to beat the odds through grass-roots organizing, enlisting the support of politically influential African-American ministers who were concerned about the impact slots would have in their communities and pursuing other strategies.

"…A leading gambling proponent in Pennsylvania dismissed the visit by Marylanders as 'an act of desperation' by anti-gambling forces…"

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