The phasing out of video bingo machines this year could mean not only fewer dollars coming into local coffers, but also financial problems for local charities and workers, officials said.
Anne Arundel is trying to extend the ban on the machines, which look like slot machines but have pre-determined winners, by one year to retain $2 million in taxes collected on the machines.
And those who operate these machines say nonprofits will lose out as well.
“If you think these machines don’t mean much, ask the veterans at the veterans hospitals who get wheelchairs that we buy with the money from those machines if it means something to them,” said Beth Robinson, of the Laurel Elks Lodge, which has six machines that generate $1,500 of monthly charitable contributions.
Robinson and other pro-video bingo officials testified Friday before the Anne Arundel House delegation for the bill, proposed by County Executive John R. Leopold, that would extend the ban.
The machines became a sore spot for Southern Maryland legislators, where restaurants and bars illegally operated the machines. But the Anne Arundel government regulated and licensed the machines as well as charged amusement taxes to the operators.
The General Assembly outlawed the machines this past year, giving bingo parlors a little more than a year to remove the machines.
The bingo machines were seen as a threat to the then slot-machine proposal. Slot machines are legal, but the state received bids for only half of the 13,000 machines available.
State lawmakers support Anne Arundel’s request, but are hesitant to say if the video bingo ban should be repealed given the poor bids on slot machines.
“I’m not interested in moving backward, but we’ll have to take a look where [the Anne Arundel] bill could help and make sure that it is fair to everyone,” said Del. Frank Turner, D-Howard, who sponsored the House legislation on video bingo machines.
Meanwhile, bingo parlors and machine manufacturers are looking at hundreds of layoffs if the ban is not extended. Bingo World in Glen Burnie will have to shed 40 of its 165 employees.
“People use those machines during intermission [between bingo games], and I just don’t see a need for the technicians, staff and security personnel if we don’t have the machines,” said Randy Clemens, Bingo World’s manager.
Parlors in Maryland City and Wayson’s Corner also would be affected by the ban, officials said. The county is adding the loss of $2 million in tax revenue to its growing budgetary deficit.
“I’ve seen in the tax revenue that these machines have a pretty significant impact,” said Del. Pam Beidle, D-Anne Arundel. “These were well-regulated and approved by our County Council.”
