| | |  | Last Updated: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 |  | | | Maryland Video Gambling Under Fire
- Sunday, 19 Feb 2006
Co-sponsors are currently being sought for a new bill attempting to ban video gambling in Maryland. Authored by MD State Delegate Peter Franchot, the new bill seeks to curb the profits generated by the estimated thousands of illegal video gambling machines across the state. The proposed legislation follows predictions from local government officials that millions of dollars in potential tax revenue is lost each year through video gambling.
However Franchot’s new anti-gambling bill is not without controversy. Some bar owners who operate video gambling machines insist that video gambling is legal because the machines are used for the same purpose as arcade games are – for amusement only. Others say the machines are licensed locally and the state should have no jurisdiction over individual video machines that are privately owned.
However Franchot is adamant that the state comptroller’s involvement is necessary to curb the increase in video gambling in Maryland. His bill proposes that a thorough tally of illegal video gambling machines is necessary before an outright ban is imposed. Franchot is expected to announce the bill in February and is currently seeking co-sponsors. Franchot, who is currently a member of the House of Delegates, has also made his interest in a position in the comptroller’s office well known. | |
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