Published: July 20, 2008 01:12 am         

Lots at stake

Opponents of legalized slot machines in Maryland want to limit the influence out-of-state money will have on the slots referendum in November.

Maryland United to Stop Slots has vowed not to accept money from such sources and hopes supporters of slots will do likewise. It wants the decision to be made by Marylanders, not by outside interests.

A noble gesture, considering that slots are supported by well-respected organizations such as the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the Maryland Association of Counties and the Maryland State Teachers Association, all of which have an enormous stake in the matter.

Slots could generate between $400 and $700 million for a state that’s anticipating a budget shortfall of up to $200 million. Half of that would be designated for education, and 1,500 machines would be located at Rocky Gap State Park, where the lodge has lost money ever since it opened.

Legalized gambling is a complicated issue. Opponents make excellent arguments against it, but supporters offer valid counterpoints — including the fact that it’s available in every state that borders on ours. It’s a resource, and if we reject it, financial chaos may face Maryland governments at all levels.

As for the influence out-of-state money may have in the referendum, the fact is that most elections at the state and national levels are already impacted by money from outside the jurisdiction where the election is held.

Campaign donations come from private individuals, corporations and special-interest groups, and every effort to regulate them is met by arguments that they are protected by the right to freedom of speech. A satisfactory answer might never be found.

Although we support passage of the referendum, we agree with Maryland United to Stop Slots senior adviser Scott Aceneaux, who said he hopes the influence of outside money doesn’t make for a nasty campaign.

We’ve had enough of those already, and we don’t much care for them.