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ANNAPOLIS — Table games in Maryland may not be that far off.
Separate bills introduced this week in the House and Senate could have lawmakers considering whether to expand gambling less than two years after voters approved a referendum authorizing slots.
"I don't like gambling, but I like revenue," said Del. Frank S. Turner (D-Dist. 13) of Columbia, who is sponsoring legislation that would let voters decide whether to allow full-blown casinos at licensed slots venues.
Lawmakers vowed against any consideration of tax increases this year, but they said the state must explore all other revenue-generating options.
Sen. Catherine E. Pugh (D-Dist. 40) of Baltimore has sponsored a bill requiring the Video Lottery Facility Commission to assess the financial impact of table games such as poker, blackjack and roulette.
Even the legislature's most ardent gambling foes said it makes sense for Maryland to push for full-scale gaming, given Maryland's revenue needs and the adoption of table games by surrounding states.
"If you're an opponent to gaming, the cattle's already out of the barn," said Senate Finance Chairman Thomas McLain Middleton (D-Dist. 28) of Waldorf. "I don't see a whole lot of difference between a casino that has slot machines only and a casino that has slot machines and table games." But the issue is far from settled.
Opponents question why Maryland should look to expand gaming when slots implementation has been plagued by disqualified bids, legal maneuvering and bankruptcy of the state's largest horse racing interest, Magna Entertainment Corp.
"I don't understand how we can explore expanding gaming until we've got gaming up and running in the state," Del. Jay Walker (D-Dist. 26) of Fort Washington said.
The effort to block the largest proposed slots venue at Arundel Mills moved forward Thursday when a coalition of petitioners submitted more than two-and-a-half times the number of signatures needed to put the issue to referendum in November.
Opponents had to submit 9,395 signatures to the Anne Arundel County Board of Elections by today; they presented 23,702, surpassing the 18,790 signatures ultimately required to place the zoning ordinance on the ballot.
The Maryland Jockey Club, which hopes to block the Arundel Mills venue and build a parlor at Laurel Park instead, teamed with two community groups in gathering signatures over the past few weeks.
Elsewhere, one Western Maryland lawmaker said table games could help attract a bidder for the gaming license at Rocky Gap State Park, which drew no qualified bids last year. With table games coming soon to nearby Charles Town Races & Slots, Del. Kevin Kelly (D-Dist. 1B) of Cumberland questioned whether any company would invest in a slots-only facility at Rocky Gap.
"We're playing catch-up ball," he said. "We're not just behind, we're way behind."
Maryland could lose millions of dollars in revenue to other states if it does not approve table games, proponents said. Barring some unknown revenue stream, lawmakers are staring at continued deep budget reductions.
"I think given the choices of additional cuts versus creative ways to enhance revenues, it seems to be one of the easiest places to turn," said Del. John A. Olszewski (D-Dist. 6) of Dundalk, a supporter of casino gambling.
But Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Dist. 30) of Annapolis have signaled no interest in revisiting expanding gaming this year.
Opinions may change after revised revenue projections are released in March, Turner said.