Video lottery terminals first came to the state of Delaware in 1996.  The plan was for the machines to generate enough revenue to save that state's struggling horse racing industry.

They've done that, with room, and a lot of dollars, to spare.

"I don't think the General Assembly of the state of Delaware had any idea it would become the 4th largest financial generator of income in the state of Delaware," says James Hutchison, former mayor of the city of Dover.  "Quite frankly, I don't know of anything that would generate the kind of revenue that video gaming would bring to Georgia."

When the Dover Downs racino (a combination of a horse track and casino) opened in 1996, expectations for success were low.

"We opened with 500 machines," says Dover Downs CEO Ed Sutor.  "We've gone through seven expansions since then."

Dover Downs is located along Highway 13, about 3 miles from Delaware's state capitol.  It features restaurants like Doc MaGrogan's Oyster House, Frankie's (with its Sinatra theme), and Michele's, a high end restaurant.  The Colonnade (which features a large gaming area), has a Godiva chocolate store, Swarovski Jewelers, a Sweet Perks coffee and pastry shop, and other businesses.

But to the people, and students, of Delaware, it is the VLTs that mean the most to their state.