Cup o' Joe

Food, travel, and news on the Chesapeake Bay

So did you read that the state of Maryland is laying out $50 million to purchase 1,000 slot machines for a casino in Cecil County? The article in The Sun states that payment works out to $46,542 per video terminal. The article also quotes an industry expert who thinks that figure is about $36,000 too high. Meanwhile, a state lottery spokeswoman claims that the $50 million purchase price is skewed because some of the complicated machines cost significantly more—for instance something called the “Shuffle Master” costs taxpayers $116,000 per machine.

I can’t say I’m overly familiar with slot machine technology but doesn’t $116,000 seem like an awful lot of money for something that doesn’t appear that much more complicated than a Nintendo system with flashing lights and an arm to pull? Is the technology in the Shuffle Master more complicated—and more expensive—than that in a car? Or a boat? Heck, I could even buy a small airplane for $116,000. I’m sorry, but I can’t see spending $116,000 on anything I can’t either drive or live in. 

A couple years back we did a story about the refurbished Japanese slot machines sold by Great Gatherings in Annapolis Towne Centre. These flashing and blinking beauties look like great fun and can be purchased from the store for a measly 329 bucks each. So here’s an idea:  How about the state brings their $50 million check to Great Gatherings and gets in return—by my calculations—151,976 slot machines. That should cover the Cecil County casino, plus enough left over for every man, woman, and child in Annapolis to open their own little gaming parlors in their living rooms. Really, just imagine the tax revenues… 

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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 06/11/10 at 10:13 AM

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