DOVER, Del. (AP) - Critics of a bill allowing fraternal organizations and veterans groups to operate slot machines say the legislation should be expanded to include other charitable organizations and private clubs.
The House gaming committee held a hearing Wednesday on the bill, which the Markell administration developed after telling veterans groups and fraternal organizations last year to stop operating illegal slot machines. After the groups complained, lawmakers in January fast-tracked a bill allowing them to temporarily resume slot machine gambling.
The administration is now working on a permanent measure allowing eligible organizations to have up to 25 slot machines, paying out between 60 and 86 percent to players. The organizations would split the remainder 60-40 with the state and would have to spend 40 percent of their share for charitable purposes.
