Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker met Tuesday with dozens of local ministers to discuss their concerns with proposals to bring slots to the county.
While the county’s clergy remain adamantly opposed to any proposals to bring slots to Prince George’s, Baker said he was optimistic he could work with the county’s religious leaders to find new revenue streams for the cash-strapped county.
“I’ve asked for their help to look for new ways to raise revenue right now,” Baker said. “Slots are about raising revenue, and I’m not going to take any revenue issues off the table right now.”
Local ministers are backing legislation introduced by County Councilman Eric Olson, D-College Park, which would ban slots from Prince George’s.
Though slots would require state approval to come to the county, Penn National Gambling is beginning a push to bring casino-style gambling to Rosecroft Raceway, which the company bought earlier this year.
Officials with Penn National say slots are vital to the success of the once-bankrupt racetrack.
Reverend Mathew Watley, executive minister at Reid Temple, said that leaders were hopeful they could find family-friendly entertainment to reenergize Rosecroft Raceway, and that churches were committed to backing Baker to help redevelop the county.
“We can still create a revenue source that’s beneficial to the owners [at Rosecroft],” Watley said. “But slots is not the only option. To us, it’s not an option at all.”
