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Slots in Anne Arundel could hinge on local vote

If voters don't support referendum, council likely to deny zoning

By LIAM FARRELL, Staff Writer

Published 07/06/08

The fate of slot machines in Anne Arundel County may hinge less on whether Maryland as a whole passes November's referendum than the results from county voters.

Two members of the Anne Arundel County Council - councilmen Jamie Benoit, D-Crownsville, and Josh Cohen, D-Annapolis - already have come out against the referendum, and two more - councilmen Ed Middlebrooks, R-Severn and Ed Reilly, R-Crofton- said this week they would be less likely to support a zoning change to allow slots if county residents vote "no."

That opens the door for a potential majority on the seven-member council to try and block the zoning...

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Revenue - 2008-07-13 12:00:31

OK then. How is the state going to raise revenue? No one wants more taxes. Cut something and the hue and cry goes up over the state. Millions of dollars are lost to Maryland when people go somewhere else to play slots, etc. Those folks give their money TO ANOTHER STATE.

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J. Jovkovich - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

YES - 2008-07-10 13:59:25

Thats why I say putting slots in Annapolis would be a disaster! It can only make Annapolis' troubles worse ........

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Kristina P. - Easton, MD - Karma: Bad

Kristina P - 2008-07-10 11:18:31

What are you talking about? Drugs and crime already rule Annapolis.

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Peter Dennis - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible

Slots=Trouble! - 2008-07-10 10:39:49

I'm a child of the Jersey Shore, and I can say that Atlantic City is a sespool! We vacation in Cape May every summer, and sometimes my husband and I make a day trip up to AC so he can play the slots and the kids and I walk the boardwalk, but I would never be there after dark! Drugs crime & prosituiton rule in AC ...... To think the same thing wouldn't happen here MD is crazy. And Kathy when is the last time you were in Dover? Dover is a nasty little town too! Slots=Trouble, and they have no place in MD!!! It would be a disaster to put them in Annapolis, and I know I DO NOT want slots on the Eastern Shore!!!

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Kristina P. - Easton, MD - Karma: Bad

It's amazing - 2008-07-09 12:52:26

When Ehrlich was governor, Miller and Co Corruption Inc was dead set aginst slots. But now that Owe'Malley is in office and needs the revenue that can't have an about face and support them just because of the change at the Governor's mansion. So the Dems have to send it to referendum. Altough I am not sure what the Dems are concerned about, certainly there is no way the Baltimore Sun or the Capital would cover it, or the would pull the usual 'take the Democrat press release and spin in to the left'.

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Peter D. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible

Charlestown - 2008-07-08 17:19:40

If anyone believes slots are a good thing I invite you to take a look at the cretins and dregs of humanity at Charlestown Races and Slots in WV.

After observing the place no sane person would want anything resembling it in their home state.

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Mark M. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad

Eastport... - 2008-07-08 16:51:47

Can you put the casino in Eastport so the people in the ghetto can have something to do rather than sell drugs and shoot each other.

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IM Freeman - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

Slots in Maryland - 2008-07-07 12:14:28

We have hundreds games in Maryland and people spend thousands a day to buy them. It's up to you to play or not to play. If I want to flush my money down the toilet I am free to do so, the same with games or lotteries, it's up to the individual to buy or not to buy. Delaware has no increase in crime or poverty due to the slots there. Just because something is legal does not mean you have to buy it or attend it.

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Kathy Fox - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad

Lets hope... - 2008-07-07 09:18:40

...it never happens. in every place slots are legalized you get a rise in crime and poverty. I personaly love to go play slots. Penny slots every three months or so. No big deal. But I certainly woudn't want to live in the areas we have to go to play. If slots come to Anne Arundel I may vary well leave. I predict nothing good of it.

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K. Overman - arnold, MD - Karma: Bad