A Look at Gambling in Maryland
Arraynot found.Sitting on the Atlantic Coast, bordered by New Hampshire, Vermont, New York State and Connecticut, the state of Maryland is regarded as the wealthiest of all in the United States of America. The average household income in Maryland, which has a population of around five and three quarter million is
around sixty five thousand dollars. Science and technology is where the Maryland earns these big bucks, as well as transportation from its docks to the large population and manufacturing centers along the East Coast. Total state income is a staggering $250 billion dollars annually. Sounds like paradise? Well it could be, except for the fact that there is no casino gambling in Maryland. Well at least not for the time being.
Yet let us not detract from the achievements and attractions of this state which is steeped in history. Its capitol, Annapolis sings out the founding of the country with its fabulously classic Colonial architecture and its immaculately preserved 18th century waterfront. A must for any visitor to the state is the US Naval Academy and its museum.
Much of the states population resides in and around the city of Baltimore, the financial and business center of the state. Major tourist attractions around Baltimore are the scene of the Antietam National Battlefield as well as the National Cemetery at Sharpsburg. Frederick and St. Mary's City are two famous historic towns where visitors can take a step back in time to the colonial era. The famous and picturesque Chesapeake Bay is situated on Maryland's eastern shores and its many estuaries and rivers provide is a veritable haven for lovers of sea food. Maryland proudly boasts the longest waterfronts in the United States, dotted with an endless stream of restaurants serving up freshly caught and cooked fare that the sea can offer.
Marylanders are great horse racing enthusiasts. Many of them attend the annual Preakness and Pimlico Cup horse races in Baltimore as well as many more out of state visitors flock to these traditional sporting events. The strange fact is that until the late sixties, casino gambling was legal in the state and was fairly active and enjoyed by many. In 1973, a state lottery was introduced and has proved highly popular, bringing with it sizeable revenues. There is also gambling on horse racing and greyhound racing events held on a regular basis, where betting is allowed trackside.
People who want to play table games such as Blackjack, Roulette or Craps as well as slots have two simple choices: one travel to one of the neighboring states for some live casino action, or two, to gamble online in the comfort and security of their own home. Neither of these prospects appears to be too daunting for the cash rich Marylanders. However the hope is that forward thinking legislators will wake up and realize that the cash that is flowing out of the state can be returned. This can be done by taking the simple step of allowing the opening of land based casinos where the hard working population of the state can spend their leisure time as they see fit, whilst contributing to the state funds.