Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who decides how revenues from slots are to be distributed?

A. Legislation authorizing slots will contain the distribution methodology. Tax rates being proposed in Maryland would be the highest in the nation, which will require care on the part of the Governor and legislature to assure that the racing industry receives a fair share to assure competitive purses and breeders' funds and an adequate return to the track operators.
To build quality facilities will require hundreds of million of dollars, including the large, up-front license fees being considered by the state. Those fees, which are for larger than anything imposed in other states, will add to the borrowing demands faced by the track operators.
Because such loans are considered to have significant political risk attached to them, they are expensive, and lenders require an adequate rate of return for investors to offset the risk.

Q. If slots are a great idea, why not have them at a number of locations beyond racetracks?

A. Public opinion surveys indicate that a majority of Marylanders want slots at the tracks because there is already gambling at those locations, but do not wish to see gaming proliferate beyond the tracks.
They want to keep Maryland money at home and help fund education and other important public initiatives with slots revenues, but restrain the spread of gaming. They also see slots at the tracks as a way of maintaining a great Maryland tradition - horse racing - and allowing the industry to compete fairly with its neighbors.