Just when you think our government can’t get any more stupid when it gets to how they spend OUR tax money, here is a story that should have all Maryland taxpayers in an uproar. Gabriel J. Michael of the The Maryland Public Policy Institute is reporting that the Maryland’s Board of Public Works voted on Wednesday to purchase 1,062 slot machines for Penn National Gaming’s casino in Cecil County, at a cost of over $49 million.

It’s bad enough that slots are being allowed — there is a huge social and economic negative impact from gambling, but of course public officials with their hands in the pot would never disclose that (or perhaps it just doesn’t fit their worldview, so they ignore the facts).

795 of the machines were bought outright, and 267 will be leased for 4 years and 10 months. The contract also includes installation and support, but at an average cost of $46,542 per machine, many observers are expressing shock. According to the Baltimore Sun, Comptroller Peter Franchot, who voted against the contract, called the purchase a “windfall” for the slots manufacturers. An independent industry analyst was described as being “dumbfounded” at the cost, suggesting it should have been closer to $10,000 per machine.

But wait!! There is more…this is as bad as a TV infomercial for a product you know is not worth it!

More machines are likely to be purchased in the near future; the casino in Cecil County will receive 438 more, and Ocean Downs in Worcester County is planning to open this fall with 600 machines. If the state can’t get a better deal next time, these machines could end up costing an additional $48 million. If Maryland ends up purchasing the remainder of the 15,000 machines authorized at five locations around the state, the total bill could be anywhere from $300 million to nearly $700 million.

One word: disgusting!

HT: The Maryland Public Policy Institute