Voters in Maryland will have their say on whether the state expands gaming and allows table games in its casinos.
On Wednesday, Governor Martin O’Malley signed a bill that will put the question of whether the state’s casinos should have table games on a November ballot. If the legislation is approved by voters, the state’s casinos, including the recently opened Maryland Live!, could be operating tables early next year.
Residents of Prince George’s County will also be given the opportunity to decide whether they want a sixth gaming site in their county. Should this be approved, the state would launch a “competitive” bidding process for the new facility but will hold off on opening the property until current licensees have time to establish “fair market competition.”
A new gaming commission is to be established, meanwhile, in order to oversee the industry ad protect the state’s financial interests.
“The legislation passed by the General Assembly will create predictability in the marketplace, protect local and city aid being generated at existing sites, ensure authorised facilities are able to be built, and allow the people of Prince George’s County the opportunity to decide whether they want a sixth site for the benefit of their county and revenue base,” said Governor O’Malley.
The bill is unlikely to derail Caesars Entertainment’s plans to build a new casino in the city of Baltimore, which received the approval of Maryland’s Video Lottery Facility Location Commission. The property is due to be completed in 2014 and could therefore open with both slots and tables.
