Maryland voters favor state control of slots

Tom Stuckey

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003 | 9:15 a.m.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- If Maryland decides to legalize slot machine gambling, an overwhelming majority of voters believe the state should maintain control over the machines rather than having them operated by racetrack owners, according to a poll released today.

In the poll by Annapolis-based Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies, 62 percent of 831 registered voters questioned over seven days beginning Oct. 20 said the state should retain financial control and hire experts to manage slot machines. Eleven percent said the state should allow the racing industry to control slot machines facilities, 8 percent said licenses to operate facilities should be auctioned off to the highest bidder and 19 percent had no opinion on the question.

Asked whether Maryland should legalize slot machines, 56 percent of the voters supported slots and 34 percent opposed them with 10 percent undecided. That was about the same as Gonzales poll taken two months ago.

Gov. Robert Ehrlich wants to authorize slot machines at racetracks, and the state Senate approved his slots bill during the 2003 General Assembly session. The governor's bill was killed by the House Ways and Means Committee.

Paul Schurick, Ehrlich's communications director, said Monday the poll is further evidence that while there may be disagreement on where slot machines should be located and who should operate them, "a clear majority of Marylanders support legalizing slot machines in Maryland."

Voters were closely divided on one question dealing with location. Asked if slot machines should be located near the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, 40 percent were in favor and 47 percent opposed. Asked if the state should allow casinos, which typically have slot machines and other forms of gambling such as roulette, 41 percent were in favor and 47 percent opposed.

Ehrlich still supports slots, but says he will not introduce a bill next year unless there is evidence that House Speaker Michael Busch, D-Anne Arundel, is ready to withdraw his opposition. Busch played a major role in killing Ehrlich's bill last spring.

He said the poll indicates if slots are legalized, voters want them "to be controlled as much as possible by the state of Maryland with the greatest profitability (to the state) and the greatest consumer protection."

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, D-Prince George's, a longtime supporter of slot machine gambling, opposes having the state operate the machines. They should be managed by professionals who know how the gambling industry should operate, he said.