» Planned name of gambling parlor next to Arundel Mills mall: Maryland Live!
» Planned number of slot machines: 4,750
» Estimated revenues generated per console: $300 a day
» Planned opening: 2011
Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold signed new zoning rules Tuesday, clearing the path for Maryland’s largest slots parlor to be built next to the Arundel Mills mall.
Leopold’s approval came a day after the County Council approved zoning rules that would allow the Cordish Cos. to build a 215,000-square-foot casino, complete with 4,750 video gambling machines, new restaurants and “entertainment venues” next to the popular mall in Linthicum.
A split council delayed voting on the zoning rules for almost a year. Homeowners near the mall protested the Arundel Mills site, saying the gambling site would increase crime and traffic in their neighborhoods.
But Leopold said the cash-strapped county needs the estimated $30 million a year in taxes that the video slot machines would generate for the county.
“I made a commitment not to increase property or income taxes, and this important action helps me keep that commitment,” Leopold said, noting that 60 percent of voters approved legalizing slots machine gambling last year.
A state panel awarded Cordish a slots license two weeks ago.
When state voters approved slots last November, many expected they would be placed at Laurel Park Raceway, about eight miles from Arundel Mills. But the Canadian company that owns the track couldn’t muster the $28.5 million bidding fee for the slots and later declared bankruptcy. The track is up for sale, and Cordish is one of the bidders.
Officials from the Maryland Jockey Club, which operates Laurel Park, said that slots belong at the track, and have teamed up with homeowners opposed to the mall site to pursue a petition to overturn the newly approved zoning rules.
Stop Slots at Arundel Mills President Rob Annicelli said he is optimistic that 19,000 signatures can be collected. He said legal action might be necessary if the petition effort fails.
Bethesda gambling expert Jeff Hooke said after last night’s vote by the County Council, the chances of slots being placed at Laurel are “six feet under” andthe odds of derailing Cordish’s bid to put slots at the mall are small.
“They got the money, they got the site, they got the zoning and they got the license,” Hooke said. He said the County Council’s actions were a “good day” for Maryland’s taxpayers, who finally could start to see revenues generated through gambling after months of chaos.
Last week, a state panel rejected a bid from a development group to put 3,750 slots near the Baltimore Ravens stadium, citing frustration with the group’s inability to secure financing. There also have been problems with efforts to put slots at other approved sites, including near Rocky Gap State Park and Ocean City.
