In Prince George’s County slots proponents and slot opponents have bonded in their sound opposition to the slot bill, though the two parties had their own reasons for doing so. Fierce debates were heard in the House as its members were trying to elucidate whether backing expanded gambling is the same as backing the addition of thousands of slot machines. The anti-slots representatives were accused in hypocrisy by the pro-slots lawmakers who polled for the expanded gambling in their counties.
Del. Melony Groffith, D-Orince George’s argued that there is no ground for a claim that slots is the same as other forms of gambling, since slots have proven to be of a much more addictive nature. Slots proponents contended that contrary to slots revenues, charitable gambling would only divert the money away from the state’s coffer that would otherwise be directed to building schools.
The Prince George’s delegation has polled earlier this year against slots, but approximately half of the members supported the bill of charitable gambling in their county few days ago. Despite the obvious odds pointing to the smooth slithering of the bill, it failed by only two votes.
