Arundel slots debate could go statewide
The two top gubernatorial candidates have staked out different positions on a seemingly hyper-local issue of whether a casino should be built in the Arundel Mills shopping center, a development likely to inject slots into another Maryland political campaign season.
Gov. Martin O’Malley, a Democrat, made a series of calls to reporters last week to stress his support for a county-wide referendum. Meanwhile Republican former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich was paid to help a Baltimore developer bring the casino to the mall and thinks the venue is an “appropriate” place for a mall, according to a spokesman.
O’Malley’s campaign shop hopes Ehrlich’s client history will anger some of the Northern Anne Arundel Republicans who don't want it to be built near their homes. Ehrlich’s camp says the referendum will remind voters that the O’Malley slots program has still not gotten off the ground.
Meanwhile, surrounding states are doing slots version 2.0, adding table games to draw more visitors to their casinos. Maryland's law does not allow Vegas-style gambling like roulette and blackjack.
Gov. Martin O’Malley, a Democrat, made a series of calls to reporters last week to stress his support for a county-wide referendum. Meanwhile Republican former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich was paid to help a Baltimore developer bring the casino to the mall and thinks the venue is an “appropriate” place for a mall, according to a spokesman.
O’Malley’s campaign shop hopes Ehrlich’s client history will anger some of the Northern Anne Arundel Republicans who don't want it to be built near their homes. Ehrlich’s camp says the referendum will remind voters that the O’Malley slots program has still not gotten off the ground.
Meanwhile, surrounding states are doing slots version 2.0, adding table games to draw more visitors to their casinos. Maryland's law does not allow Vegas-style gambling like roulette and blackjack.
Comments
Slots in Maryland is nothing but a bad dream.
The blame lies with Busch and Miller who ptrevented Ehrlich from racking up a victory in this blue state. Heaven forbid a Republican pass slots. Git to give MOM credit too for so bungling this issue. Nice job MOM!
Posted by: john | July 26, 2010 11:52 AM
O'Malley introduces the bill, O'Malley forces the bill through with tax increases, O'Malley signs the bill, now O'Malley runs from the bill???
Posted by: Julie | July 26, 2010 2:15 PM
Slots in Anne Arundel is a winning proposition for not only the county, but for the state. What I do not understand is the major opposition to the Arundel Mall project is a race track that was in such financial difficulty, they could not even bid on the licensing needed. Please see the link below to show what the American Gaming Assoication has surveyed and found, pages 25 - 28 of the "2010 State of the States" documentation.
www.americangaming.org/assets/files/State_of_the_States_2010_FINAL.pdf
Posted by: Anthony "Bert" Bertino | July 26, 2010 5:35 PM