MD Provides RX for Gambling

by Matthew Guy

Published: June 5th, 2023

Several states across this nation offer drivers a phalanx of options when registering a new set of plates for their vehicle. Most of them cost a bit extra with the additional simoleons being funneled to some sort of charity or a government slush fund. But only one offers you the chance to advertise gambling in the Philippines.

Spotted by an alert Redditor and reported by Vice, the plates in question are the standard issue tags from about a decade ago. At the time, some genius decided that Maryland’s role in the War of 1812 needed to be highlighted on the bumper of every new vehicle in the land, choosing to roll out plates printed with freshened graphics and a website address at which people could learn more about the conflict.

At least, that was the goal. As often happens on the internet, another entity has since taken the reins of StarSpangled200.org and decided it should lead to a website promoting gambling in the Philippines instead of to information about a battle that occurred over two centuries ago. Oh, dear. There are nearly a million plates of this style still on the road, according to the Maryland DMV, and it seems the website changed hands within the last few months. At the risk of our browser history, we visited the site this morning and took the following screenshot.

Confoundingly, it is reported that the tall hats making decisions in Maryland never held the domain name; instead, it belonged to a third party in the form of a non-profit that existed to preserve and ruminate on America’s history. Given the fluidity of the internet, you’d think someone in the halls of government would have had the foresight to lock down the URL and check the box for automatic renewal. In the grand scheme of things, it wouldn’t have been that expensive – certainly cheaper than recalling nearly a million plates.

Which is what Maryland is not doing, at least right now. In a statement to local media, they say it “does not endorse the views or content on the current website using that URL and is working with the agency’s IT department to identify options to resolve the current issue." Trying to wrest control of a URL from a faceless international gambling company without having to bankrupt the state? We wish them good luck with that endeavor and predict a recall on these plates before the end of this calendar year.

[Images: seller, screenshot]

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#Maryland #LicensePlates #Government #gambling

Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

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9 of 29 comments

Jeff S on Jun 05, 2023

Years ago Kentucky issued a license plate with a horse running with the words "Unbridled Spirit." The religious right objected and did not want the plate because they believed it encouraged people to go to the race track and bet on horses. Anyone who knows anything about Kentucky knows its famous for raising horses and yes there is Churchill Downs where the Kentucky Derby is run but horses in themselves are not sinful. It got so bad that the state issued a blank sticker to put over the horse and the logo. Kentucky also issued a plate for those who were offended stating "In God We Trust." The latest KY plate has no logo and nothing. I always picked the horse because I thought horses were something to be proud of and associated with Kentucky.

2 Reply
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- Theflyersfan on Jun 05, 2023
  
  Jeff - people are not happy with the Kentucky change. Last year when they converted to the "flat" printed plate minus the horse head and Unbridled Spirit, it seemed like the number of specialty plate sales went up. I have a special horse plate on my car. Kentucky just introduced a brand new secondary free plate and it's better looking. They put the Team Kentucky logo on the side with a bluegrass scene in the back. It isn't a bad looking plate at all. Here's the link: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.whas11.com/amp/article/news/kentucky/team-kentucky-standard-license-plate-govornor-andy-beshear/417-39f65b2c-b9ad-48b4-8a2a-2d5670d6d15e
  
  Like
- Jkross22 on Jun 07, 2023
  
  Further proof that those who focus on the minutia of life should be politely ignored at all costs. Unfortunately those same mentally ill people are being put on a pedestal. I guess this is the natural conclusion of participation trophies.
  
  1
Morley on Jun 05, 2023

Wasn't that the war where the Brits came down from Canada and burned the White House to the ground?

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- See 4 previous
- Lou_BC on Jun 05, 2023
  
  I believe so.
  
  Like
- David S. on Jun 06, 2023
  
  About 211 years too soon in my opinion!!
  
  Like
- SPPPP on Jun 06, 2023
  
  Bad breakup, bitter ex.
  
  1
- Art Vandelay on Jun 06, 2023
  
  No, they burned it, but not to the ground. All the smoke damage is why they painted it white...it wasn't actually known as the White House until after it was repaired.
  
  Like
- ToolGuy on Jun 06, 2023
  
  The White House was white in 1798, way before the 1814 fire.
  "White paint has nothing to do with covering the burning of the house by the British in 1814." Source: The White House Historical Association
  
  Like

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