We had this same type of debate here in Detroit about 10 years ago. The anti-gambling movement was able to successfully head off casino gambling for many years using the "family values morality" argument. Then a funny thing happened: the government of Ontario opened a casino right across the river from Detroit. People realized that the casino gambling couldn't be stopped and really it was only a question of where the money was going to be spent-- over there (Canada) or over here (Detroit). When people realized it was probably better to keep the money here instead of flowing over to Canada, casino gambling was approved in spite of the anti-gambling crowd.
I'm surprised that legislators in Maryland would rather watch those slot dollars go to Pennsylvania and Delaware instead of legalizing it in the Old Line State and collecting tax revenue from it. Of course, it wouldn't be the first time politicians have acted illogically . . .
