A proposal to put a slot machine operation in the White Marsh area of Baltimore County was floated to county lawmakers by a Harford County businessman Saturday.
But the county executive and delegates that represent the area reacted coolly to the idea, as did the chairman of the subcommittee that handles gambling issues in the House.
James Dresher, who has developed a hotel and restaurants in the area, told the Baltimore County delegates that he was interested in creating an entertainment complex that would include 2,500 slot machines.
“I?m willing to look at any ideas to raise money without raising taxes,” said Del. Eric Bromwell, chairman of the county delegates. “Baltimore County was being mentioned again as a slots location” and “we want to be prepared.”
Don Mohler, a spokesman for County Executive Jim Smith, said the executive is “not interested in additional sites.”
Gov. Martin O?Malley has proposed and the Senate has approved putting slot machines at five locations, including Baltimore City, Cecil, Anne Arundel and Allegany counties, and one near Ocean City. Voters would get to approve or reject the plan next year.
“Tinkering with the proposal now would endanger the referendum,” Mohler said. “It would be difficult to have a site in Baltimore County and Baltimore City.”
Del. Patrick McDonough, R, whose district includes I-95 corridor in the eastern county, said, “I don?t see anything good to us” in the proposal. If a county location gets into the constitution, as the referendum would do, “we can?t get it out.”
McDonough said the Dresher proposal, including restaurants, slots and other entertainment, would hurt existing local restaurants, and it would probably not attract as many people as the site in the city near I-95.
“Are we going to kill the whole shopping area” at White Marsh? Del Joseph Boteler, R, asked. “It?s become a center piece for Baltimore County.
Bromwell and Del. Steve DeBoy, the delegation vice chairman, said there have to be more discussion in the delegation before any amendment permitting slots in Baltimore County is offered.
Del. Frank Turner, D-Howard, chairman of the gaming subcommittee, said, “They can always do that, but I don?t think it?s going to happen.”
