O'Malley Releases Slots Bill

Gov. Martin O'Malley Monday night released the 56-page bill that will be the focus of a special session on expanded gambling in the state.

Legislators will be asked to vote on legislation that could add a sixth casino, most likely at National Harbor in Prince George's County as well as legalize table games.

“The legislation we are sending to the members of the General Assembly will create predictability in the marketplace, protect local and city aid being generated at existing sites, ensure authorized facilities are able to be built, and allow the people of Prince George’s County the opportunity to decide whether they want a sixth site for the benefit of their county and revenue base," O'Malley said in a statement released just before 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Aaron Meisner, a Mt. Washington resident, who was chairman of Stop Slots Maryland in 2008, said it was obvious to anyone who could comprehend the bill approved by voters four years ago, that table games and expanded gambling would eventually be proposed. He said at the time the market was already so saturated with slots casinos in surrounding states that it was an obvious progression to adding table games.   

"I told you so would be a succinct way of putting it," Meisner said.

The special session is scheduled to begin Thursday when the Senate reconvenes.

The House will return to Annapolis on Friday.

It is not yet clear if the governor has the 71 votes needed to pass the bill in the House of Delegates.

North Baltimore Patch reporter Adam Bednar contributed to this story.