Update of the Legislators' Guide To Video Lottery Terminal Gambling

December 22, 2008
The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., President of the Senate
The Honorable Michael E. Busch, Speaker of the House of Delegates
Members, Maryland General Assembly
Ladies and Gentlemen:
After many years of debate, the General Assembly enacted House Bill 4 and Senate Bill 3
during the 2007 special session relating to the proposed legalization of video lottery terminals
(VLTs) in Maryland. House Bill 4 is a constitutional amendment that was approved by the voters
in November 2008, which sets up broad parameters for VLTs and VLT facility locations in the
State. Senate Bill 3 establishes the operational and regulatory framework for the proposed VLT
program.
Back in 2004, the Department of Legislative Services published the Legislators’ Guide to
Video Lottery Terminals, in an attempt to combine into one document discussion of many of the
aspects surrounding VLTs, including a review of the experience of other states and related issues
such as the state of horse racing in Maryland. This is a streamlined and updated version of that
original report, focused on the 2007 legislation and some of the significant VLT issues and
questions that may still face policymakers in upcoming years. We trust this guide will be of
assistance to the members of the General Assembly as implementation of the VLT program gets
underway.
This report was coordinated by J. Ryan Bishop, based on analyses prepared by
Michael Lee, Michael D. Sanelli, and Erica Schissler. Administrative support was provided by
Cathy Kramer.
WGD/JRB
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Sincerely,
Warren G. Deschenaux
Director