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Fraternal organizations operating low stakes slot machines for the sake of raising funds is nothing new and it certainly is not a novel idea in Maryland.  As a matter of fact, the fraternal organizations in the Maryland Eastern Shore fully depend on slot machines for their survival. 

In most cases, at least half of the revenue brought in from slot machines are used to help nonprofits.  Last year, fraternal organizations on the Eastern Shore used money from slot machines to help schools, little league baseball organizations, hospice groups, and volunteer fire departments.

“It's the lifeblood of all the fraternal organizations that are now in Wicomico County,” said Eddie Meyer, donation committee chairman for American Legion Post 64 in Salisbury.

Joseph Shapiro, spokesperson for the Maryland office of the comptroller, said the statistics indicate that fraternal organizations operating slot machines donated roughly $1.2 million to charities.  Only $159,000 went to charitable causes in Somerset County, but there are far fewer slot machines spinning in that area.

The Maryland General Assembly adopted the slot machine law back in 1987.  It permitted fraternal organizations on the Eastern Shore to operate slot machines.  Worcester County was excluded from the law because Ocean City officials wanted to preserve the image of a family resort.

Now Worcester County wants their slot machines and a new bill is likely to give it to them.  The proposed bill would allow fraternal organizations to operate no more than five slot machines each.  The machines would come equipped with a tamper proof counter.  Use of the slot machines would be monitored by the county Sheriff’s office.

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