Thursday, December 6, 2012
Three Maryland casinos hauled in a combined total of $43 million last month.
With another casino on its way in Maryland, possibly in Prince George's, a new report shows that gambling revenue is down. Although the three Maryland casinos—Hollywood Casino Perryville, Maryland Live Casino and The Casino at Ocean Downs—brought in a revenue of $43 million last month, the gaming revenue is still down 28.5 percent—or $3.478 million—from last year. This number doesn't factor in Maryland Live, since it opened earlier this year. Hollywood Casino Perryville generated more than $5 million in November, while Maryland's three casinos combined to generate $43 million. Still, the Cecil County facility continues to see a major dip in revenue over last year. Hollywood Casino saw a 40.5 percent decrease in money earned compared with …
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Almost 90 percent of Marylanders have gambled in their lifetime with 22 percent gambling monthly, CNS Maryland's Kelsey Pospisil reports.
TELL US: Do you think gambling addiction will grow in the state of Maryland if a new casino opens in Prince George's County? Join the discussion in our comments.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Mayland voters narrowly approved Question 7 last week, but not before a lot of money was spent.
Groups with a stake in Maryland's referendum on expanded gambling spent more than $35 a vote during the 2012 campaign, according to an analysis by WTOP. Unofficial results from the Maryland Board of Elections show that 2,479,262 people cast a vote on Question 7, which asked residents whether they favored the introduction of table games to the state and the addition of a sixth casino in Prince George's County. The measure narrowly passed by a margin of 51.9 percent to 48.1 percent. But before the matter was decided, opponents and supporters undertook enormous advertising efforts to sway voters. Casino operators that stood to benefit—including MGM Resorts International, CBAC Gaming LLC, and The Peterson Companies—were pitted against casinos …
Monday, November 5, 2012
Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker III and Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot face off on Question 7 before voters decide the gambling question Tuesday.
Maryland's Question 7 is one of the most controversial ballot initiatives facing voters when they head to the polls Tuesday, and it hits close to home in the Washington, DC, area. A top proponent and a leading opponent of Maryland's gambling provision argue their positions in Patch's Local Voices section. Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker III is in favor of gambling expansion, while Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot is in opposition. "Arguments for the facility echo the ones I have made: that it will create jobs, generate revenue, and establish a destination with world class amenities that serves both residents and tourists," Baker wrote. "The “staggering hypocrisy” of casino owners funding an anti-casino referendum was …
A look at what's at stake—and how the battle is being waged.
Note: This article was originally published on Oct. 25 but is being featured again ahead of Tuesday's election. WHAT IT'S ABOUT Question 7 asks voters whether they favor a plan to expand gambling in Maryland that would: The ballot question is a result of legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly during its 2012 special session (view the House and Senate roll calls) and signed by Gov. Martin O'Malley. Several other portions of the law are not subject to a referendum. Slot machines have been permitted in the state since voters approved a gaming referendum (59 percent to 41 percent) in November 2008. Passage of Question 7 would mark a significant shift, however, bringing Maryland's casinos closer in line with those of Atlantic City …
The politics of religion in Maryland.
Capital News Service ANNAPOLIS - Religious beliefs have played a major role in the debates in Maryland over same-sex marriage, the Dream Act and gaming expansion. Capital News Service surveyed religious organizations, congregations, individual members and religious leaders and asked for their thoughts on Questions 4, 6 and 7. This graphic is not meant to represent entire faiths, only to sample how some people within different faiths report they feel. With reporting by Dana Amihere of Capital News Service.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
A civil case adds to the controversy over Question 7.
Capital News Service ANNAPOLIS - Former Prince George's County Councilman Thomas Dernoga filed a lawsuit Friday challenging the constitutionality of the expanded gambling referendum. If successful, the lawsuit could nullify the results of Question 7 on Tuesday. The suit argues that in order for Question 7 to pass, the majority of all registered voters, not just those who turn out to vote, would need to approve the measure. The suit names Gov. Martin O'Malley, Attorney General Doug Gansler, the State Board of Elections and others as defendants. "There has been some confusion created about the standard required to certify the election result," Dernoga said. Dernoga's claim is based on the language of the constitutional amendment that …
Friday, November 2, 2012
By Clara Vaughn, Capital News Service
- BUSINESS
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Friday, November 2, 2012
Potomac Gourmet Market sits just a block away from MGM Resorts International's new visitor center at National Harbor. It is one of dozens of local businesses that may be affected by the outcome of Question 7, the Maryland ballot item that could decide whether MGM will be allowed to build a casino at the Prince George's County site. The visitor center opened in September as part of MGM’s campaign to win approval for a destination casino. Potomac Gourmet Market Manager Leonard Knight is confident the addition of a casino to National Harbor would bring business to his store. "There's a lot of people who don't come to National Harbor because there's not a destination," Knight said. With the addition of a casino, "they'll come from Virginia, …
Friday, October 26, 2012
Economic, social arguments highlighted in Hyattsville debate.
A handful of area voters got the opportunity last night to dive a bit deeper into the debate surrounding Question 7, which could allow a casino to operate in Prince George's County and bring Vegas-style table games to casinos across the state. Gathered in a first-floor conference room in the Hyattsville Municipal Building, they were here to consider the two sides of the argument in a manner more thoughtful than what might be available to a typical voter in the midst of one of the most expensive political campaigns waged in Maryland in recent memory. Arguing in favor of expanded gambling was Brad Frome, deputy chief of staff to Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker. His argument focused on three projected benefits which a casino in…
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Expanded table gaming could lead to new development at the National Harbor, reports the Washington Business Journal.
Could an MGM casino be headed to National Harbor? Quite possibly, if MGM International CEO James Murran gets his way. Murran told Washington Business Journal that if Question 7 passes in November his company may bid to build a casino in the National Harbor, a location Murran describes as ideal because of its sweeping views and proximity to three major airports. MGM did not bid on a Maryland casino in 2007, citing the state’s 67 percent tax rate on gambling revenue and required state ownership of video lottery terminals (VLTs), reports Washington Business Journal. However, if Question 7 passes, casinos would be permitted to own their own VLTs and the tax rate on table gambling revenue would drop to 25 percent. Not everyone is keen on seeing…
AndThenAgain
9:39 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
Yup. A plainly ridiculous article. How about this headline: Maryland Live shatters records for slots revenue, draws deeply from customers at two other casinos. Now watch when National Harbor opens and takes a giant wack out of the business at Arundel Mills. But you can bet gross receipts will sky! more ›