For slot machines nearly $16 million spent by Maryland
For the Hollywood Casino Perryville located in Cecil County, the state of Maryland recently agreed to spend another $15.8 million on 438 slot machines. Early in this fall, the casino is expected to open. The recent slot purchases will make total amount of money spent by the state on slot machines for this casino to an approximately $65 million dollars. Using taxpayer funding through the State Board of Public Works, the slot machines are purchased.
The recent purchase was opposed by comptroller Peter Franchot and he feels that the state should modify existing laws to allow casino operators to purchase slot machines for their casinos. Rather than the casino, the current Maryland law stipulates that all slot machines must be acquired and maintained by the state. Franchot feels that casino operators would be better able to secure machines at a fair price since the state is not actively involved in the gambling industry.
Some critics of Maryland's purchase feel that since the purchase price includes maintenance it was a fair purchase price, while others feel that Maryland's purchase feel that the state was overcharged for their slot machines. Currently slot machines are sold in the $13,000 to $21,000 price range. Maryland has paid on average $20,000 to $25,000 per machine with maintenance. Per machine with maintenance, Maryland has paid on average $20,000 to $25,000. However, they underwent strong criticism earlier this month for an early purchase of slot machines, which averaged out to over $45,000 per machine.