Legislation calls for referendum to expand slots, other gambling

by Daniel Leaderman

Staff Writer

A state senator from Prince George's County was expected to introduce legislation Monday that could bring slot machines to the county and authorize more gambling statewide.

The bill, to be introduced by Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-Dist. 23) of Bowie, would call for a statewide vote on whether to allow the gambling machines in Prince George’s, plus allow the five previously approved casino sites in the state to offer table games, such as roulette, he said.

Peters said although he personally is opposed to slots, he thinks residents should be the ones to decide whether to allow them.

For slots to come to Prince George’s, the bill would require a majority of county voters —plus most statewide voters — to approve them, Peters said.

Prince George’s lawmakers are divided on slots, but some approve of his referendum proposal.

Del. Jay Walker (D-Dist. 26) of Fort Washington said he agreed with the call for a referendum “100 percent,” adding he has “always felt this issue should be decided by the people.”

Del. Jolene Ivey (D-Dist. 47) of Cheverly said she had not seen the text of the bill, but was pleased it would require majority approval of county voters. Ivey, who is opposed to slots but thinks table games — which require staff such as dealers — could create jobs, said she’s concerned with a provision in Peters’ bill that would allow casinos to keep all the revenue they generate from table games.

Some lawmakers, such as such as Del. Doyle Niemann (D-Dist. 47) of Mount Rainier, oppose slots outright; others, such as Del. Veronica Turner (D-Dist. 26) of Camp Springs, say they’re open to slots if the revenue could be directed to a good cause, such as education.

Prince George’s County Council members, led by Eric Olson (D-Dist. 3) of College Park, last year tried to pass preventive legislation banning the gambling machines outright in the county, but that bill failed in November. Instead, the council passed a resolution asking the General Assembly to make a statewide referendum on expanding slots to Prince George’s conditional on support by a majority of county voters.

Peters said even if voters approve slots in the county, the county council still would have the zoning power to ban them.

Council Chairwoman Andrea Harrison (D-Dist. 5) of Springdale, who supported the slots ban, said Monday she had not seen the legislation and declined to comment.

Five slots locations — none in Prince George’s — were approved by voters in a 2008 referendum. Supporters have named Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington and National Harbor in Oxon Hill as possible sites for casinos in Prince George’s.

County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) has not taken a public position on slots, but has said he wants to keep all options open, particularly as officials are determining how to fund a proposed new $600 million regional medical center in Prince George’s.

The Baker administration would not comment on the bill until it had been filed, said Scott Peterson, Baker’s spokesman.

dleaderman@gazette.net