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The Regular Person’s Guide to the

Maryland Slot Machine Referendum

Assessment of Proponents’ and Opponents’ Claims

Summary

Proponents

Opponents

1: In order for Maryland to balance its budget, slot machine revenue is necessary.

ASSESSMENT: TRUE, with qualifications

7: Slots in Maryland will increase the prevalence of gambling problems.

ASSESSMENT: TRUE

2: All the money the state gets from slot machines will be used for education.

ASSESSMENT: FALSE

8: Slot machines will increase crime.

ASSESSMENT: MIXED

3: Slots in Maryland will keep Marylanders’ gambling dollars from going out of state.

ASSESSMENT: TRUE, with qualifications

9: Bringing slot machine gambling to Maryland will increase social harms such as depression, suicide, bankruptcy, domestic abuse, and divorce.

ASSESSMENT: MIXED

4: Slot machines are necessary for the survival of Maryland’s horse and racing industries.

ASSESSMENT: TRUE, with qualifications

10: Slot machine revenues will disproportionately benefit a few individuals.

ASSESSMENT: TRUE

5: Slot machines in Maryland will create more jobs for Marylanders.

ASSESSMENT: TRUE

11: Slot machines will be the equivalent of a regressive tax on the poor.

ASSESSMENT: MIXED

6: Slots will help protect the environment, by preserving Maryland’s horse farms as open space.

ASSESSMENT: UNSUBSTANTIATED

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