Casino Gambling

AMONG BALTIMORE hoteliers, restaurateurs and leaders of major tourist attractions, two words have become the subject of endless debate and considerable anxiety: casino gambling.As the General Assembly prepares to decide whether to legalize casino gambling, tourism industry leaders say, few have a bigger stake than the hotels, attractions and restaurants. Would casino gambling prove an economic boon, as lobbyists promise, or divert money from other attractions?Would casino gambling help or hurt the city's image as a tourism spot widely viewed as a pioneer in transforming a moribund downtown area into a destination?

Maryland horse racing and breeding officials are issuing dire warnings about the "absolutely catastrophic" impact on their industry of proposed casino gambling in the District of Columbia.But the State Lottery Agency, while conceding that a gaming parlor in the nation's capital could initially hurt lottery sales in the state, predicted no significant long-term impact.A spokeswoman for Washington Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly confirmed yesterday that casino gambling was among the options being considered by city officials as a way to finance a new downtown convention center.

As he battles for legislation allowing slot machines at racetracks, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has made it clear that he opposes any effort to expand casino gambling to the Inner Harbor. He has come a long way since 1992. Eleven years ago today, Ehrlich -- then a Baltimore County delegate -- co-sponsored a House bill with Del. John S. Arnick that would have permitted casino gambling at the Power Plant in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The 1992 legislation, which failed, would have allowed a variety of games -- including card games, wheels of fortune and Ehrlich's favorite, craps.

WHEN IT COMES TO currying favor with civic and political leaders, lobbyists spare no expense. The worst offenders are gambling advocates, especially those representing casino interests. That's why it is not surprising that Harvey's casino is flying 13 leaders from Cambridge to Council Bluffs, Iowa, tomorrow to tour its riverboat casino there.Frigid Iowa in January is no tourist stop. But a free trip is still a free trip -- air fare, hotel, meals and the other freebies usually showered on VIP guests.

The course is "Introduction to Casino Gambling," but upon entering the classroom, one might be tempted to place a bet at the roulette wheel, the craps table or any of the other table game layouts. As he stared at the roulette wheel, Christopher Lamb of Elkridge, a student who has taken one week of the Anne Arundel Community College course, could scarcely contain his excitement at the thought of working in a casino. "It is an amazing game, just on gambling and chance, and who knows where the ball is going to land?

WHERE WAS Kurt Schmoke? When a state panel heard testimony on casino gambling for the Inner Harbor last week, Baltimore's mayor missed the meeting.Barry Rascovar is deputy editorial-page editor of The Sun.

Starr has gone but his grin remains.Forget Buchanan. Trump for president! Casino gambling in the White House, 80-story condominiums on the Mall. Long overdue!If they must take down the last surviving Liberty Tree at St. John's College in Annapolis, they at least ought to do it on the last day of the millennium.Russia 1, Chechnya 0. Chechnya wins.

HOW do editorialists in other parts of Maryland feel about the legalization of casino gambling? Here's one opinion, from the July 26 edition of the Montgomery Journal:"The state is heading down a road to future problems if lawmakers open the door to casino gambling in Maryland. We worry that average people are not going to make their anti-gambling views known during the three remaining state hearings being held on the issue."Lawmakers and the governor, absent the views of voters and ordinary families, could be left with the impression that the primary opposition to casino gambling comes from existing entertainment and tourism businesses, thoroughbred racing representatives and restaurateurs who worry casinos will cut into their revenues.

About 200 people opposed to casino and riverboat gambling in Maryland attended a "No Casino Rally" last night at a Glen Burnie church."There is already enough and more than enough gambling opportunities in Maryland," the Rev. R. Olin Herndon, pastor of Glen Burnie United Methodist Church, told those at the rally. "We are here to join the chorus sounding across the state saying, 'No Casino.' "The Rev. Tom A. Grey of Galena, Ill., a spokesman for the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling who has been dubbed "Riverboat Rambo" by gambling proponents, was the guest speaker at the rally.

If Baltimore must have casino gambling, they should put it on the toxic Allied Signal site.New Hampshire folks are entitled to privacy except in an election year, which this is not. Outsiders should leave the state now and return next year.Cheer up. Wagering increased dramatically at Pimlico this year.Leave it to Councilman O'Malley to seize a passing opportunity by the throat.Pub Date: 6/23/99