A bill that would allow more video poker machines in city bars may have new life, thanks to several amendments sponsored by Councilman James Kraft.
The bill was withdrawn in February after lobbyists for bar owners expressed concerns about the spread of machines to convenience stores.
“Bar owners were worried about proliferation of the machines in convenience stores,” said Councilman Ed Reisinger, who withdrew the bill.
But newly proposed amendments to the measure would raise fees and limit the number of machines allowed in convenience stores while maintaining gains for bar owners.
First introduced in 2005, the bill would have allowed qualified city establishments ? including bars and restaurants ? to expand the number of the controversial video poker machines that many say are used for illegal gambling.
Currently, the law allows five amusement devices per establishment, butthe bill would expand that number to six. It also would create a separate classification for pool tables and jukeboxes so bars could have up to 11 devices total.
A 2006 Abell Foundation report estimated video poker machines grossed from $55 million to $110 million in illegal gambling revenues annually in Baltimore. Joan Jacobson, who wrote the report, said the bill would expand illegal gambling in the city.
Some opponents are not satisfied with the bill and want more changes.
Al Evans, chairman of the South Baltimore Improvement Committee Liquor Advisory Committee, a community group that monitors bars in his neighborhood, said they will fight to add more amendments to the bill.
“We need more accountability. Many of the problems of our community are centered around bad bars ? not all bars ? and these machines add to the problem,” he said.
Evans proposes stricter rules for registering the machines and procedures for collecting taxes.
Christine Duray, spokesman for Comptroller Peter Franchot, said he will continue to aggressively oppose the proliferation of video gambling.
“Comptroller Peter Franchot has been very specific and adamant in his opposition to these machines,” she said.
