Archive for the Slots category.
October 12, 2007
In what turned out to be the biggest town hall meeting in the city’s history, Middleboro residents voted to approve slot machines and casino gambling in their town. This does not guarantee that they will come there, but their approval will make it much easier for the Wampanoag Tribe to get them.
The vote ended up being 2,387 to 1,335 in favor of the slot machine casino, and if Governor Deval Patrick agrees with the voters Middleboro could end up with the first casino in the state. Right after the vote, the Board of Selectmen signed a legal agreement that binds the town to the proposed casino. It says that they support the $1 billion casino, and will stand behind them when the developers go to the state and the federal government for approval.
The tribe said that they were taken aback by the town’s support, and now they were off to begin negotiations with the governor for the casino. Glenn Marshall, tribal chairman of the Wampanoag Tribe said that as their ancestral grounds include Middleboro, it was like “coming back home.”
With the support of the town comes a nice paycheck for them as well. The casino’s developers have promised not only will they pay the town $7 million a year in cash payments, they will also give them revenues from the hotel, and will make road and infrastructure improvements. They will also pay them a onetime payment of $2 million for police and ambulance services.
The tribe thinks that they stand a pretty good chance of being able to run slot machines at the casino, as although Massachusetts does not currently allow slot machines, preliminary discussions have led them to believe that they might be successful. It also doesn’t hurt that their partners are the developers of the Mohegan Sun.
October 11, 2007
California agents raided 4S Casino Party Suppliers for the second time in a little over a year. Stephen Squires, the owner of the slot machine supply company says that he was literally just sitting at his desk when the state agents from the Division of Gambling Control came in with their guns.
Squires’ business is to rent working antique slot machines for casino themed events, a process that is not completely illegal or legal. He is one of several companies that handle this sort of slot machine rental, but all three of his locations were raided. The agents took more than 60 slot machines from Squires, basically taking everything they could find.
This is the second time they have raided his headquarters, taking only ten slot machines last time they did it. Last time though the court found for Squires as they could not prove that those specific slot machines had been used for gambling. Therefore, this time they took every slot machine they could find. They did not take any of the card, craps or roulette items that Squires rents as well.
Squires says that he is completely legal in his dealings, and that they do not have the right to take his business. The agents said that they are simply enforcing the law which states that even if the slot machines are antiques – if they are working then they are illegal. However, the Penal Code says that slot machines over the age of 25 are legal, which is the case with Squires’ slot machines. Doesn’t matter says agents, the law states that gaming at charity fund raisers is ok as long as you don’t use slot machines.
October 10, 2007
Gov. Ted Strickland who, along with Attorney General Marc Dann have been trying to outlaw slot machines in the state, have finally won one in their favor. The Ohio House overwhelmingly voted to eliminate slot machines yesterday, and Strickland and Dann could not be happier. They voted to ban games with cash payouts or prizes worth more than $10, and it bans tournaments in which the house takes a cut of the proceeds.
By banning tournament play, the House said that they were able to thwart those that use tournaments to get around the law. They say that they are trying to get around those that get around the law by taking basically a pre-emptive strike. The law that was approved was much like the Executive Order passed by Strickland that many had objections to.
The bar and business owners are obviously upset because they say that they will lose more money than they can afford to with the banning of the slot machines. They say that they are already hurting from the smoking ban, and if the slot machine ban becomes law they will see many of them have to close their doors.
The Senate gets the bill next, and many expect it to pass. If it does the slot machines will disappear quickly, and there will be much tougher criminal penalties for those who choose to continue operating the slot machines. They say that the slot machines that don’t pay out for more than the $10 can stay, but they say that they will see how many of them stay once they can no longer make money off of them.
October 05, 2007
State funds to crack down on illegal gambling devices that compete with casino slot machines began flowing this week from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
The board awarded $250,000 to the Allegheny County district attorney, $153,749 to the Washington County district attorney and $43,836 to the Northern Regional Police Department — serving Pine, Richland, Marshall and Bradford Woods — for prevention and prosecution of the use of illegal slot machines. The grants were among $778,145 awarded statewide.
The legislation that created Pennsylvania’s slots casinos provided for $5 million annually to help local law enforcement agencies deter payouts from such devices as video poker machines in bars, clubs and elsewhere. The gaming board is reviewing applications for grants from 15 additional municipalities, including the city of Pittsburgh.
A spokesman for Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said no decisions have been made on when and how the new money will be used. Mr. Zappala is hoping to collaborate with his peers from other counties, especially those where casinos have been licensed, to coordinate a crackdown on illegal machines, spokesman Mike Manko said.
September 30, 2007
Martin County Commissioners have changed their mind in regards to slot machines. They had decided that Mary James was not going to be allowed to open her slot machine arcade just south of Stuart, but have decided that perhaps they acted hastily in that decision. James pleaded with the court to reconsider their decision, and they have done so.
The commissioners had voted almost unanimously not to allow the slot machine arcade, but after listening to her plea they decided 3-2 to allow for rezoning so that she could have her slot machines. Neighbors had complained about the business, as they did not want it in their area of town, but the commission saw it differently.
They listened as James told them that her husband had lost his job and they had put everything they own into the arcade. She said she thought that the rezoning was just a formality, and that if they didn’t open soon they would lose everything. Commissioners decided that she had a compelling case and are allowing for the rezoning to take place.
Some residents were excited that the slot machines will be coming in, as they say that it gives them something to do and a place to hang out with other senior citizens. Other residents say that it will bring in crime and prostitution, and that the noise level will be unbearable. They said that it would not be compatible with the area and that it should be illegal. Commissioners felt otherwise.