Stop, in the Name of Slots

While online slots is still outlawed in the States, the battle continues on in several neighborhoods over whether to allow slot machines. With 2008 being an election year, this issue is being raised across the country, and people on both sides are up in arms, trying to get support for their own cause. Their aim is to raise awareness about the issue, so that when people visit the polls in November, they will know exactly what is at stake and make their decision accordingly.

One state in particular, Maryland, is dealing with this issue right this minute. While Maryland legislators are looking to slots to solve several economic deficits, a strong opposition from the Marylanders United to Stop Slots group is putting a wrench in their plans. Gambling, in the form of lottery programs, casinos, and slot machines, is used to bring revenue to cities across the world. That money is then put to good use by funding the building and maintenance of public facilities such as parks, libraries and schools. That added income allows the government to avoid unwanted tax hikes, and furthermore, creates jobs, enabling the unemployment rate to stay low as well.

However, the citizens opposed claim that an increase in gaming facilities in their town would be an irresponsible move for their government to make. They also argue that most residents of Maryland aren’t aware of what is going on, and if they were to find out about the possibility of slot machines in their hometowns, they would protest too. Their main goal is to raise publicity about the situation and their argument is that the benefits of having casinos simply don’t outweigh the negative effects.

Back to July 2008 Archive.