ANNAPOLIS – Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot criticized state lawmakers Wednesday for working to expand gambling and relying on slots for state revenues.
Franchot voted at the Board of Public Works meeting to sell the Maryland Economic Development Corp.-owned Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort to a casino operator.
Evitts Resort LLC plans to revitalize the resort and operate 1,000 slot machines at the site.
Before casting his vote, Franchot took an opportunity to blast state officials, who later this afternoon will meet to consider allowing what the comptroller described as a “sweetheart deal” for developers of a proposed casino at National Harbor in Prince George’s County.
“We just have to grow up in Maryland and put this fascination with slots back on the toy shelf where it belongs,” Franchot said.
The work group, created by Gov. Martin O’Malley, has met in private this week to hammer out details of the expansion, which could authorize the Prince George’s casino site and allow table games such as blackjack and roulette at all state casinos.
O’Malley indicated he had much to add in response to Franchot, but declined to comment at the board meeting in deference to time and place, he said.
