HARRY HUGHES, Governor

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would be presently created if I signed the bill into law, it
would be next to impossible in future years to rationally
distinguish and limit slot machines to those counties and those
organizations covered by Senate Bill 774. Slot machines will
again become a local political issue. Even assuming that the
reintroduction of slot machine gambling in Maryland is a
desirable social goal (which I do not), the local regulatory
approach suggested by this bill invites uneven law enforcement
and corruption. Moreover, the failure of the bill to precisely
define eligible organizations or address the issue of control of
minors and nonmembers on the premises presents additional
concerns and creates the potential for widespread abuse.

The serious problems associated with this bill far outweigh
any short-term monetary benefits to the nonprofit organizations
or charities. I am confident that these groups will be able to
raise necessary monies through more traditional fund raising
activities. The inevitable expansion of slot machine gambling
that would be triggered by this bill is simply inconsistent with
my vision of an industrious, resourceful, and progressive
Maryland. This legislation will do little, if anything, to
improve the fine quality of life in our State; to the contrary,
my fear is that it will have the exact opposite effect.

Sincerely,
Harry Hughes
Governor

Senate Bill No. 218
AN ACT concerning

Slot Machines - Nonprofit Organizations

FOR the purpose of permitting certain nonprofit organizations to
own or operate a slot machine under certain circumstances in
certain counties on the Eastern Shore; requiring a slot
machine to meet certain conditions and certain records to be
maintained for a slot machine to be eligible for use under
this Act; requiring an eligible organization to make a
certain report under affidavit to the State Comptroller;
providing for the licensing of certain nonprofit
organizations by application in the county in which the
organization plans to locate the slot machine; requiring
certain affidavits from certain persons; prohibiting the
misrepresentation of certain information on the application;
providing for a penalty for any misrepresentation on the
application; requiring a license sticker to be placed on the
slot machine; defining a certain term; and generally
relating to certain nonprofit organizations owning or
operating slot machines.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments
Section 264B