Update 7:05 p.m. A referendum to bring slots to Prince George’s County includes added revenues for the gaming industry to make other Maryland casinos more amenable to rival slots, as well as revenues for county development initiatives.
Gaming operators could earn up to 40 percent of slot revenues if the referendum passes, up from the 33 percent cap agreed to in the 2008 referendum on slots.
The bill also sets aside 2.5 percent of slot revenues for a state capital account dedicated for development and construction of a $600 million regional medical center. Senate President Mike Miller has said the state will need new revenue to pay for its estimated $200 million share of hospital costs, and slots could provide those funds for the state.
Another 5.5 percent would go towards Baker’s $50 million economic development incentive fund, the county executive’s first major initiative and one he hopes will help lure new businesses and federal tenants to Prince George’s County.
The remaining revenues from the 4,750 slot machines that would be allowed under the bill would go to racing and lottery funds, minority businesses, and the state’s education trust fund.
Original post: Maryland Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters said he plans to introduce a bill Monday at County Executive Rushern Baker’s request that would call for a statewide referendum deciding whether to bring slot machines to Prince George’s County, with the stipulation that a majority of county residents be in favor of gambling.
The referendum could allow video lottery terminal licenses to be issued at two sites in Prince George’s County that have generated buzz: Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington and the National Harbor.
Peters said he is opposed to slots, but favors a referendum to allow voters to decide if gambling is a good source of revenue for the county. Baker called and asked Peters to introduce the bill, Peters said, who felt it was his obligation as chairman of the Prince George’s County Senate delegation to do so.
“My personal opposition to slots should not get in the way of what people want to do,” Peters said.
The bill includes a provision that at least 51 percent of Prince George’s County voters favor slots, in addition to a favorable vote by the entire state.
The Prince George’s County Council would still be able to nix slots with a vote to ban gambling sites under the council’s zoning authority. A bill to do just that was tabled last fall, and the council instead pushed for a referendum on the November ballot.
Peters said he requested both provisions be placed in the bill before agreeing to introduce it for Baker.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., D-Prince George’s and Calvert counties, has been pushing slots at either Rosecroft or the National Harbor as a revenue source to help fund the state’s share of a new regional medical center.
The cost of the new hospital, which would replace the dilapidated Prince George’s County Hospital Center in Cheverly, would be split three ways under an agreement signed by the county, state and the University of Maryland Medical System.
Early estimates place the construction cost at $600 million.
While Baker has said Prince George’s can fund its share of the medical center without slots revenue, state officials are wary of coming up with their approximately $200 million share without a new source of funds.
