Maryland Republican Sen. E.J. Pipkin says the state should stop requiring a public vote on changes to its slots and gaming laws.
Pipkin, the Senate minority whip, said he expects bills to gain traction in House and Senate this General Assembly session that would ax a statute requiring that changes in slots laws go to a constitutional referendum.
Pipkin argues the state loses its competitive edge in gambling revenues when the laws governing gaming locations and licenses are encumbered by the voting process. Constitutional referendums must go to a statewide ballot, which only happens every two years, in the November of an election year.
“Can we deal with changes going on in Delaware and Virginia … while we have to put things on a constitutional referendum?” Pipkin said.
Taking slots out of the Maryland consitution could make it easier for lawmakers to approve more gambling sites and add table games like blackjack and poker to the state’s casinos.
