Gaming Workgroup Folds ’em – Special Session Unlikely

House of Delegates leaders remain firmly opposed to lowering the State’s share of the slots betting handle – dimming for now the prospects of a casino in Prince George’s County at National Harbor and a July special session of the General Assembly.  Last week the Governor’s Workgroup to Consider Gaming Expansion held a tense final meeting that displayed the sharp division between House and Senate members on issues relating to gaming expansion.  There was wide agreement to authorize table games, expand the hours of licensee operations, shift the cost of slot machine acquisition to the operators, and establish a gaming commission for licensee oversight.  However, without an agreement to lower the State’s take on slot machines or authorize a sixth gaming location at this time, it is unlikely that Governor O’Malley would call for a special session.  See the Workgroup’s recommendations here.  For further information contact Ron Wineholt at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .