Video lottery legislation fact sheet, 2004

Fact Sheet PUBLIC EDUCATION BRIDGE TO EXCELLENCE - FUNDING - VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINALS The Governor’s proposal provides a source of revenue to help fund the historic increases in state school spending planned for the coming four years ❖ Governor Ehrlich’s new proposal authorizes up to six licenses to operate video lottery terminals in Maryland ❖ The proposal is modeled on the legislation that passed the State Senate in March 2003 (Senate Bill 322) The Governor’s proposal reinforces his commitment to supporting Maryland’s horse racing industry - a $2 billion industry that employs 20,000 Maryland citizens ❖ Licenses may be awarded to operate video lottery terminals at four horse race tracks in Maryland: о Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore City (3,500 machines) о Laurel Park in Anne Arundel County (3,500 machines) о Rosecroft Raceway in Prince George’s County (3,500 machines) о A track to-be-built in Allegany County (1,000 machines) ❖ The four licenses for video lottery terminals at horse race tracks will be awarded by the Maryland Lottery Commission, as defined in Senate Bill 322, passed by the State Senate in March 2003 ❖ The revenues generated by video lottery terminals at horse race tracks will be distributed in the manor defined in Senate Bill 322, passed by the State Senate in March 2003, with one minor change: о $250,000 dedicated to pay health benefits for Maryland jockeys The.Governor’s proposal also recognizes the growing consensus within the Maryland General Assembly to permit video lottery terminals at non-race track venues