Slot Machines

Officers of several Washington County veterans clubs reacted Monday to another attempt by lawmakers to pass legislation that would allow veterans organizations to operate slot machines to offset dire finances. For years, lawmakers have been trying to pass legislation, in some form, to allow groups such as Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion to operate slots as a way to make extra revenue.   Money from slots is desperately needed to make up for a decline in membership fees, general fundraising and revenue from rentals of halls for weddings and birthday parties, members of veterans groups said.

By DAVE McMILLION / Staff Writer, Charles Town photo: KEVIN G. GILBERT / staff photographer CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Charles Town Races officially unveiled 565 new slot machines Monday morning, and by noon, the track had a $2,000 winner. cont. from front page Dennis Gorman, who came to the track with some friends from near Purcellville, Va., was playing a slot machine in a giant tent when the first tumbler landed on a red bar, which is worth 20 credits.

Editor's note: Tim Rowland is on vacation. This column originally ran in The Morning Herald on Feb. 6, 2003. Excellent, it's all coming together. For years I've been saying that we don't need slot machines just at Maryland racetracks, we need slots in many more convenient locations - preferably on everyone's front porch. Problem there, is that we may run into a few of those "private property" wackos who might believe it an infringement on their "rights" if the government were to forcibly install a slot machine next to the rose trellis.

Charles Town wants 500 more slot machines By DAVE McMILLION / Staff Writer, Charles Town CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Charles Town Races is seeking state Lottery Commission permission to add 500 video slot machines at the track. continued Permission would increase the number of machines at the track from 1,500 to 2,000. Last September the track asked for and received permission to add 500 video slot machines. Despite that expansion, it's not unusual on weekends for lines of people to be waiting for machines to open up, Ted Schieffer, director of gaming operations at the track, said Tuesday night.

By GUY FLETCHER Staff Writer ANNAPOLIS - Hagerstown Mayor Steven T. Sager warned Tuesday that allowing slot machines and casinos into Maryland would be a mistake that would hurt the quality of life in the state. Sager was asked by Gov. Parris N. Glendening to speak at a rally of slot machine opponents. Many speakers wearing "No Slots, No Casinos, No Exceptions" stickers predicted casino gambling could lead to more crime but very little economic benefit for the area. "I do not believe that anyone can say, at least not without a straight face, that slots and casinos will improve the quality of life in Maryland," Glendening said.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Although Charles Town Races is set to install up to 850 slot machines at its thoroughbred track, there is no guarantee that Gov. Cecil Underwood will sign into law a bill that allows the machines, a spokesman for the governor said Wednesday. Underwood has been concerned about expansion of gambling in the state, and although supporters of the "coin-drop" bill say it will not mean more machines, the governor wants to make his own determination, said Underwood spokesman Rod Blackstone.

Proposition could bring slot machines to Md. ANNAPOLIS (AP) - A powerful Maryland lawmaker on Monday proposed allowing voters to decide in November whether slot machines should be permitted at horse tracks and seven other locations statewide, including one in Western Maryland, with proceeds paying for public education. Delegate Howard "Pete" Rawlings, a Baltimore Democrat who heads the House Appropriations Committee, proposed amending the state constitution to include slots if voters approve.

For years, I have pondered the debate on slots, and gambling in general. A friend heard former Gov. Robert Ehrlich on his Baltimore radio show exclaim, "Where is that pastor from Laurel who so adamantly opposed slots?" Since I pastored in Laurel and was a leading opponent, maybe he meant me. I don't know. Nice to be missed. Glad he found work. I've been reflecting on this. Some readily dismiss a pastor's view because religious leaders typically oppose stuff -- especially if it's fun. But there are some things that are actually traps disguised as "fun.

charlestown@herald-mail.com RANSON, W.Va. - Police say $4,400 in cash was stolen from four state-regulated slot machines at Boss's restaurant when someone broke into the business early Tuesday. A burglar alarm sounded at the restaurant and bar at about 3:40 a.m., said Capt. Mickey Ballenger of the Ranson Police Department. By the time Officer Patrick North arrived at the restaurant at 200 N. Mildred St., the machines had been broken into and the money taken, Ballenger said.

Slot machines yielding rich take for local governments By ANDREW SCHOTZ andrews@herald-mail.com Millions of dollars pour from the bellies of slot machines at Charles Town Races into the coffers of local government. Jefferson County and its five municipalities received nearly $4.7 million in slot machine revenue from 1997 to 2001, according to the West Virginia Lottery. Jefferson County Commissioner James Ruland expects another $3 million to come in this fiscal year.

Some thoughts on Maryland ballot issues To the editor: The ballot for the upcoming election is filled with many questions for voters to consider. Many local residents have asked why I voted as I did during the legislative session. I would like to address just a few of the items. Question 4 is known as the “Dream Act,” which offers in-state tuition to some undocumented or illegal immigrants. It is aptly named “Dream Act.” Because these individuals do not have valid Social Security numbers they cannot work legally in our country.

You've seen the negative television ads concerning Question 7, which would significantly expand gambling in Maryland. Casinos apparently are evil, sinful, unwholesome and destructive of families. Gambling won't produce the promised revenue. And the cash won't go into schools and senior citizen programs, instead it will go straight into the pockets of those slick, cigar-chomping casino owners. And the people who say so ought to know, because the negative ads are being paid for by the very same slick, cigar-chomping casino owners.

The just-finished debate over whether Maryland should legalize table games and add a sixth casino cut through political parties and county delegations. Of the six Republicans representing Washington County in Annapolis, three voted in favor of the final bill crafted during the recent Maryland General Assembly special session and three voted against. Both Democrats in Washington County's delegation voted yes. For Del. LeRoy E. Myers Jr., R-Washington/Allegany, who voted for the bill, the question was what would benefit his constituents the most.

Washington County got caught up in the crossfire of multiple gambling debates Monday as the Maryland General Assembly's session wound down. In one case, Washington County's delegates walked out of the House chamber rather than take a precarious vote that, they thought, could have hurt their own interests. Also, a delegation bill pertaining to Washington County's tip-jar gaming was bottled up, and apparently died, in a House committee preoccupied with a controversial proposal paving the way for a casino in Prince George's County.

For years, gamblers at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races were limited to $5 for each spin of a slot machine. But, in July, the West Virginia Lottery Commission gave the casino permission to increase the maximum bet per spin to $100. "With the ability to now bet $5, $10, $25 and $100 a spin, the Slot City area of the gaming floor just got hotter," casino General Manager Al Britton said in a statement. "Now, guests will have the opportunity to wager more per spin on the newest multi-coin machines featuring themes such as Double Diamond Deluxe and Poseidon.

State lawmakers waged their final battles Monday as this year’s legislative session wound down and all bills neared their fate.   During an afternoon Senate session, Sen. David R. Brinkley, R-Carroll/Frederick, launched a filibuster as he tried to fight a new version of a bill granting in-state college tuition for illegal immigrants. When the Senate voted to agree with a House amendment that made the bill more lenient, Brinkley said, “I don’t like the bill, and, therefore, Mr. President, I don’t know what else to do but to just keep talking on this bill.” Brinkley said he bought a book Sunday — “Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen” by Christopher McDougall.

Officers of several Washington County veterans clubs reacted Monday to another attempt by lawmakers to pass legislation that would allow veterans organizations to operate slot machines to offset dire finances. For years, lawmakers have been trying to pass legislation, in some form, to allow groups such as Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion to operate slots as a way to make extra revenue.   Money from slots is desperately needed to make up for a decline in membership fees, general fundraising and revenue from rentals of halls for weddings and birthday parties, members of veterans groups said.

PERRYVILLE, Md. (AP) -- Maryland's first casino opened ahead of schedule on Monday about 40 miles north of Baltimore next to Interstate 95, nearly two years after voters approved a constitutional amendment legalizing slot machines. The opening of Penn National Gaming's Hollywood Casino at Perryville, which employs 350 people, marks what state officials hope will be a bright spot for the state's finances after years of tortuous debate over whether to legalize slot machines as neighboring states reaped the benefits of their own casinos that have been drawing Maryland gamblers for years.

Thumbs up o To the new Meritus Health Center, formerly known as Washington County Hospital, which announced last week that it will open for business on Dec. 11, when patients will begin to be transferred from the old hospital to the new one. Another milestone in the community's access to enhanced health care. o To 80-year-old Darce Easton of Hagerstown, who went skydiving for the first time to celebrate her birthday. Her sense of adventure is inspiring! o To all the young participants who braved the heat at the Washington County Ag Expo and Fair this week.

So it seems that a little slice of Hollywood is coming to the Tri-State Area. Dibs on Sandra Bullock. But no, it doesn't involve movies, it involves the new name for Charles Town Races & Slots, which will now be known forevermore as "Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. " At 11 syllables, it beats Oriole Park at Camden Yards rather handily. I love a good rebranding, and it's also touching that they continue to cling to the horse-racing reference somewhere in the title -- even as its mission statement recedes further and further from the Sport of Kings.