| Maryland At least $1,565,659 -- Includes lobbying expenditures over $25,000 from November 1994 to October 1995 June 9, 1997 Technically, gambling is illegal in the Free State, but with an enormous loophole allowing each county to make exceptions. As a result, if you have a thing for slots, head for the Eastern Shore, or hunt down a lottery, bingo, or casino night -- there are plenty of counties that allow them. After all, it's not that big a state. Unfortunately, the Division of Candidacy and Campaign Finance has only paper versions of campaign contribution records. Likewise, most of the State Ethics Commission's lobbying records are just hard copy. The Commission's Web site (check out the dancing blob while you're there), however, does have an online list of currently registered lobbyists who earned more than $50,000 in 1994-95, but it's virtually useless because the lobbyist's employers aren't disclosed. More useful is the list of lobbyist expenditures exceeding $25,000 by the following gambling companies: | Contributor | Year | Campaign | Amount | | Harvey's Casino | 94-95 | Lobby | $194,409 | | Horseshoe Gaming | 94-95 | Lobby | $155,164 | | AT&T | 94-95 | Lobby | $194,469 | | Maryland Jockey Club/Pimlico Race Track | 94-95 | Lobby | $148,800 | | Laurel Racing Association Inc. | 94-95 | Lobby | $148,800 | | Gaming Association of Maryland Inc. | 94-95 | Lobby | $120,430 | | AWI/VLT (Automated Wagering Inc./Video Lottery Technologies) | 94-95 | Lobby | $98,887 | | Maryland Gaming Association | 94-95 | Lobby | $78150 | GTECH | 94-95 | Lobby | $66,440 | | Mirage Resorts Inc. | 94-95 | Lobby | $65,938 | | Maryland Horse Coalition | 94-95 | Lobby | $55,800 | | Promus Companies Inc. (owns Harrah's) | 94-95 | Lobby | $53,534 | | National Gaming Corp. | 94-95 | Lobby | $50,000 | | International Lottery Inc. | 94-95 | Lobby | $36,020 | | Ameristar Casinos | 94-95 | Lobby | $33,930 | | Bally Entertainment | 94-95 | Lobby | $33,833 | | Autotote | 94-95 | Lobby | $31,055 | | TOTAL: | | | $1,565,659 | Source: Maryland State Ethics Comission | 
Web Exclusives: Heavy Betting
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Test your knowledge about gambling. From the Magazine: Ea$y Money
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