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Slots becoming
big money maker in many states
July 26
In many states
slot machines are proving to be a huge money maker.
State and local governments raised about $6 billion
from taxing casino gambling in 2003. Slot machines
provided over two-thirds of that income. That amount
is two times the revenue that gambling provided five
years ago. Because of these staggering numbers, more
states are legalizing or at least considering
passing measures to make slot machines legal in
their states.
Currently
there are only 15 states left that have not
legalized slot machine play. Voters in California,
Nebraska, Florida, and the District of Columbia are
considering ballot measures this November to
legalize slots or to expand them.
Just this
month Pennsylvania approved the installation of over
60,000 slots over the next couple of years. By
providing this number of machines, the state of
Pennsylvania will become the second largest provider
of slot machines right behind Nevada. Maine has
already authorized machines as well, but at this
time none are in operation yet.
It is
predicted that even the states that decided against
slot machines might not be able to say "no" for very
much longer. States to watch for will be Maryland,
Texas, and Ohio who turned down such ideas this
year. It is becoming quite clear to these particular
states that their residents are traveling to
neighboring states to play. By doing so, these
players are providing tax money to these other
states.
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