Maryland Introduces Poker Legislation
Written by Renee K | Friday, February 5th, 2010
Only one week after Delaware voted to allow table games, among them poker, in the state, lawmakers in Maryland introduced legislation this week to allow table games to be legalized. The bill was presented by Frank S. Turner and has fifteen co-sponsors thus far.
House Bill 608 calls for those who hold video lottery licensed in Maryland to be allowed to offer table games such as poker, roulette and blackjack. The bill calls for an immediate amendment of the state’s constitution that would see VLT license holders receiving automatic authority to offer poker and other table games.
The purpose of introducing the bill will be to generate more money for education in Maryland. The money will be directed to public education so that more schools could be built. Community colleges and public senior higher education facilities are also in the pipeline if HB 608 is passed.
The final deciders on the bill will be the Maryland public, who could vote on the introduction of the new legislation at a public referendum in November this year. However, the bill will need to be approved by lawmakers before it reaches the public’s vote.
In the meantime, the Governor of Maryland, Martin O’Malley, said that while he would listen to arguments for the introduction of table games in the state, he was not likely to support the law. “I’m not at this point in favor of any of that,” he told a Washington journal.
HB 608 has support from other sources, however. A member of the state’s Video Lottery Facility Location Commission said last week that Maryland should consider legalizing “true casinos” that include table game, instead of just slot machines.
“We need to talk about how to get ahead of the curve, because we have a dire need for revenue,” said D. Bruce Poole.
Supporters speak of fear of competition from neighboring states such as West Virginia who have already approved table games or are moving in that direction.
“The other competitors are already outstripping us,” said Poole. “They’re ahead of us.”
Check Out Other Related Articles
· Written by Renee K · Filed Under Poker Gossip · Comments Off
