Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) wasted little time Wednesday in signing an expanded gambling bill that would allow a Las Vegas-style casino in Prince George’s County, as well as table games at the state’s five other authorized slots sites.
“This compromise will put us in a competitive position with surrounding states,” O’Malley said as he signed the bill at approximately 10:30 a.m.
The legislation, on which the General Assembly completed work shortly after midnight, gives voters the final say, in what is expected to be a hard-fought ballot measure campaign.
The bill represents Maryland’s largest gambling expansion since 2008, when voters authorized five slots sites. Since then, Delaware, West Virginia and Pennsylvania have all allowed table games, such as blackjack and roulette, at their casinos.
As O’Malley signed the bill, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) and several labor leaders, who have lobbied for the construction jobs that would come with a new casino, stood behind him.
Before the ceremony, Baker told reporters that he continues to favor National Harbor as a casino site in Prince George’s.
As written, the legislation would invite bids from a swath of the county that includes both National Harbor and Rosecroft Raceway.
“National Harbor is the best site on the East Coast,” Baker said. “It’s the one I’ll be pushing.”
O’Malley was also joined at the bill signing by House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) and Senate Majority Leader Robert J. Garagiola (D-Montgomery), who stood in for Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert).
Busch told the audience that while he has never been a big proponent of gaming, he wanted to ensure voters will have “the best product” to weigh in November.
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LOTTERY EXPO 2013
Co-Hosted by PGRI and the
Florida Lottery
November 4 to 7, Miami, Florida,
Trump Miami Beach Hotel
18001 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach, Florida
Phone: Domestic: 855.244.2964 International: 786.522.3523
**Use Group Code 10W820 to get our
special rate
Monday, November 4: 5:00: Opening Night Reception
Tuesday, Nov. 5: U.S. focused conference sessions; Reception 5:00 to 6:30 pm.
Wednesday,Nov. 6: Joint U.S. and Latin America Sessions; Reception 5:00 to 6:30 pm.
Thursday, Nov. 7: Focus on Latin America
Three Receptions and luncheons provide lots of time to visit with colleagues For complete Lottery Expo info, including registration materials and conference updates: PublicGaming.org Conference Venue: Trump Miami Hotel - Limited special rate of $175 Reserve your room click here online booking
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SMART-TECH 2013
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Thank you to all
of you who presented, served on a
panel discussion, and participated
at Smart-Tech. This was PGRI’s
fourth annual event in NYC and has
become a great venue for lotteries
to delve into the most relevant
issues of the hour, and we so
appreciate the privilege of hosting
it and visiting with you. The next
issue of PGRI Magazine will include
an in-depth analysis of the issues
we explored. Too, the conference
was video-recorded and will be made
freely available to everyone on
www.PGRItalks.com. We’ve
received much positive feedback and
hope that everyone accomplished
their objectives. Our next event
will be held at the Trump Miami
Beach Hotel on November 4, 5, 6, and
7th. Lottery Expo Miami
is especially exciting for the
participation from our colleagues in
Latin America. The North America
track is on Tuesday, the LatAm track
on Thursday, and we all come
together on Wednesday. Thanks to the
support of our commercial partners
and sponsors, the hosted receptions
held every night of the conference
have become a wonderful venue to
talk with industry leaders from all
around the world. Please check in at
www.PublicGaming.org for PGRI
conference updates. Thank you again
- We look forward to seeing you
again. Please e-mail me (pjason@publicgaming.com)
with any questions, feedback,
guidance, or comments of any kind.
Smart-Tech 2013 was held
April 8,
9, 10, 2013
at the Helmsley Park Lane,
New York.
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2012 Public Gaming Magazines
PUBLIC GAMING OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012
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PUBLIC GAMING SEPTEMBER 2012
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