That question is what is going on in many voters' minds over these last few hours before they vote on Tuesday. The question asks whether to approve zoning for a casino in Anne Arundel County, and if it succeeds, it will be a win for gambling groups that have been lobbying for the casino at the mall.
The opponents to the facility have for months been selling voters on the idea that the company planning on building the casino, the Cordish Company, has dealt with the issue in a shady way. Cordish has denied these claims, and believes that the casino at the mall would be great for the area.
Horse tracks are opposing the casino because they feel they would have a shot at the gaming license if the casino at Arundel Mills fell through. That is not something that regulators have speculated, but rather an idea thrown out by the tracks.
Maryland is one of the many states where the racing industry has been hurt by the economic conditions of the past few years in the US. Some states, such as Florida and New York, have allowed their tracks to become racinos, where racing and casino gambling are both available.
Other states like Kentucky have denied their tracks the right to operate slots and other casino games. Lawmakers in Kentucky have attempted to change the current laws, but so far they have been unsuccessful in doing so. Churchill Downs is one of the most storied tracks in the country, but it is struggling financially.
The zoning question is the only thing that stands in the way of Cordish and their casino. Voters have the final say, and several reports have the results tight, but in favor of the casino. For now, it is a wait and see approach for Cordish, while residents take the last few days to contemplate their decisions.
October 30, 2010
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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