Gambling

ANNAPOLIS - Washington County Gaming Office Director James B. Hovis spoke out Wednesday against a bill proposing a task force to study gambling in Maryland. Although the bill doesn't directly address Washington County's tip-jar system, Hovis said the county is "very concerned" about the potential of state regulation. The county also is tracking a bill, scheduled to be heard today, calling for a statewide gaming commission. The bill's sponsor has said it wouldn't affect gaming proceeds for nonprofit organizations.

HAGERSTOWN - Hagerstown Heat All-Stars founder Anna Lois Miles and two coaches have been charged with holding an illegal fundraiser for the cheerleading group in February 2006. Anna Lois Miles, 33, of 11134 Lakeview Drive, was charged with gambling: keep, use, permit a place of gambling in connection with the Feb. 17, 2006, basket bingo fundraiser at Boonsboro Fire Co. Miles, who was convicted in 2004 for writing bad checks from the group's account, allegedly used $2,000 raised in the event to pay back a woman who helped bail her out of jail in December 2005, according to charging documents.

An increase in gaming revenues resulted in more money for the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, the Washington County Gaming Commission announced. In a press release Wednesday, Washington County public information officer Norman Bassett said the gaming association distributed $664,790.05 to the fire and rescue association. The money represents half of the gaming fund revenues from July 1 through Sunday, Director of Gaming James Hovis said. The most recent revenues are 5.6 percent higher than the January 2006 disbursement, the press release states.

WASHINGTON COUNTY - This election season, one issue in particular - gambling - does not divide neatly along party lines. In a tightly fought race for Maryland House of Delegates Subdistrict 2C in Washington County, Republican Paul Muldowney and Democrat John P. Donoghue agree on legalizing slot machines. Meanwhile, in Subdistrict 1C, which also includes Washington County, incumbent Republican LeRoy E. Myers Jr. is diametrically opposed to the governor - a fellow Republican.

WASHINGTON COUNTY - St. Thomas' Episcopal Church doesn't tally the same kind of numbers as some taverns or clubs through the sale of tip jars. But its modest profit still allows the Hancock church to reach out to those in need. St. Thomas' sold $3,365 in tip jars in fiscal year 2006, resulting in a profit of $778. That was among the lowest profit on a lengthy list of establishments, clubs and organizations that sell tip jars. Tip jars are part of the church's occasional basket bingo events.

In the business world, creditors will only extend funds to companies or individuals they consider good risks. Those whose ventures start slowly have two choices - do something bold to jumpstart the effort or fold up the tent and go home. Sad to say, that's where Discovery Station at Hagerstown Inc. is right now. Officials of the interactive science museum went to the Washington County Commissioners on Tuesday to ask for $30,000. That would be in addition to the $20,000 the commissioners contributed from their FY 2006 budget.

West Virginia lawmakers are right to insist that approval of any additional gambling devices at Charles Town Races & Slots not remove protections for horse racing there. As one delegate noted, horse racing not only employs many people, but is also gives land owners an incentive to preserve open space. Del. Bob Tabb, D-Jefferson, told The Herald-Mail he opposes the bill because if residents of any county approve so-called table games - blackjack and roulette - they would lose the right to petition gambling to referendum in the future.

Maryland, which is already at least a furlong behind West Virginia when it comes to putting slot machines at horse tracks, now has another gambling issue in common with the Mountain State. It's video games such as electronic poker, which West Virginia legalized to fund its PROMISE scholarship program. Before they were legalized, thousands of the so-called "gray machines" were operated all over West Virginia, with the income from them untaxed. Now a report released last week by the Abell Foundation estimated that Maryland loses millions of dollars each year because operators of such games don't report all their income and pay winners under the table.

Week of Jan. 15, 1956 With many new model cars having safety belts available for the driver and front-seat passengers, a survey is being made with the assistance of State Police to determine the efficiency of the belt in minimizing injuries. Washington County has 104 industries that import raw materials and export finished products through the Port of Baltimore. The local link was disclosed today in dispatches reporting that Gov. McKeldin hopes to get a copy of the proposed port authority bill Monday and make a decision on calling a special session of the legislature.

For opponents of slot machines, the just-concluded session of the Maryland General Assembly was an assurance that for another two years, at least, the one-armed bandits will remain out of state. In the meantime, however, Pennsylvania officials learned that a development group is seeking a license for a slot-machine gambling casino and spa on 42 acres north of Gettysburg. If the bid is successful, it will be one of the few slot venues not earmarked for one of Pennsylvania's horse tracks or reserved for sites in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.