Are Riverboat Slot Machines the Answer?

With a new bill in the General Assembly to legalize slot machines on riverboats, many are wondering if this is really the way to go. It seems like it keeps everyone happy – as those that don’t want to look at the slot machine casinos don’t have to, and those that do just have to go down to their nearest participating riverfront. Supporters say that it isn’t just about supporting the riverboats, that slot machines should be legal at the state’s racetracks as well. Opponents say that all it would do is bring addiction and corruption.

Some that are in support of slot machines are not in support of this bill however; as they think that if slots are coming in they should come to the tracks first since they have been asking for them for years. They say that the horse tracks need the slot machines to stay open, and the state needs them so that those tracks won’t have to let go the thousands of employees that they have.

Some don’t care where they are as long as the state gets their share. Several Senators have said that they think that as long as the state is still getting the same amount of revenue it does not matter where the slot machines end up – on land or water.

The Governor has said in the past that he would look into slot machines, but that he is not offering a plan to get them legalized this year. He said he would like to discuss it with both sides to see what is best for the state. House Speaker Michael Busch said that although he is opposed to slot machines, the riverboats make sense to him. He said it would keep them from the areas that they don’t want to see them in, and it would make it easier to control underage slot machine playing.

Back to Monthly Archive // Main Slot Machine News Index