IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Baltimore, MD - March 5, 2004 - The Presidents RoundTable, Inc. , has released the results of a jointly commissioned study examining the possible economic and social impact Video Lottery Terminals (slot machines) may produce should they be introduced into various communities of the state of Maryland. A community forum will be held 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, Brown Memorial Baptist Church at 3215 W. Belvedere Avenue in the Pimlico community. Neighborhood and community groups are invited to hear the results.

The Presidents' RoundTable, Inc. believes that due to the absence of any recent in-depth analysis on this subject, the need for a study was essential given the potential legislative action that is being initiated during the current General Assembly session in Annapolis.

The group wants to make sure that the public has access to necessary information before making a decision to support or oppose the introduction of slot machines. This study does not present a position of either pro or con with respect to the question of the introduction of slots. "We want people to make decisions for themselves," said Garland Williamson, Chairman of The Presidents' RoundTable, Inc.

The study not only projects the government and business benefits for the next four years, but it also illustrates the social impacts of slots based on similar gambling environments in states such as Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois and others.

The Presidents' RoundTable, Inc. believes the impact of slots involves serious issues, and has particular concerns regarding its impact upon African-American communities.

View the complete report, "The Economic and Social Impacts of Racetrack Video Lottery Terminals on the City of Baltimore and Prince George's County." View a brief PowerPoint presentation by Optimal on VLTs in Baltimore City. Or, learn more about Optimal's other research in economic development.

Optimal Solutions Group, LLC, is a minority-owned economic and policy analysis consulting firm in the Baltimore-Annapolis-Washington, DC area.  We are committed to supplying insightful program evaluation, cost-benefit and effectiveness analyses, custom econometric modeling, and market analyses for decisionmakers in both the public and private sectors.

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