Baltimore Officials Looking To Legalize Video Poker Gambling

It used to be in the US that officials in a particular state would spend resources attempting to stop illegal video poker gambling. Now, with the economy down, those same officials have turned their attention to legalizing the machines.

In Baltimore, there are many legal forms of betting that can take place in a bar. Video poker gambling is not one of them. That may change under a plan devised by City Councilman Robert W. Curran.

Curran would like to see a $3,000 licensing fee placed on each of these video poker machines. The bars are already offering the machines as a form of entertainment, claiming to not pay out real money, but gamblers know otherwise.

"All you have to do is walk into one of these bars and ask the bartender how the machines work and they will tell you how to redeem your winning ticket for real cash," said Gary Briley, "it is not a big secret that the machines are being played as slot machines."

Baltimore officials agree with Briley's idea on the video poker machines. That is why Curran is attempting to up the ante for bar owners. Currenty the bar owners have to pay a ten percent amusement tax on the machines. Under Curren's plan, the city would make an additional $3 million to $5 million a year.

Most bar owners would be in favor of paying the licensing fee, but they say it should come with a guarantee that the city will not continue to have law enforcement officials raid the bars for illegal gambling.

May 31, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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