Casino Gambling

Although Maryland seems unlikely to see casino gambling in the near future, several residents urged the Annapolis city council last night to take a public stand against the possibility."

The battle over casino gambling in Maryland hasn't really begun, but it's already a high stakes game: In just six months, players spent about $600,000 trying to influence legislators on the issue.Top client fee -- Maryland Optometric Association, $55,236Joseph A. Schwartz IIIClients -- 11Earnings -- $335,719A5 Top client fee -- State medical society, $130,000J. William PitcherClients -- 19Earnings -- $306,0660 Top client fee -- Tobacco Institute, $60,000

An Allegany County task force has concluded that if casino gambling is approved by the legislature next year, local voters should be given the final say through a referendum.The task force, which delivered its report this week to the County Commissioners, did not take a position on casinos. However, The group found that a Cumberland-area casino would be a net boost for the local economy."A general observation is that some commercial casinos make good corporate citizens ," the panel said.

Casinos will come to Maryland, and communities should prepare themselves, an economist told told county business leaders yesterday."It's not an if issue; it's a when issue," said Donald E. Hunter, president of Hunter Interests Inc., an Annapolis consulting business. "If I were a betting man, [casinos] are going to happen."Mr. Hunter spoke before about 30 business and community leaders at Anne Arundel Community College in a talk sponsored by the Anne Arundel Trade Council. His company has studied casino gambling in 16 states and is writing a report for the Greater Baltimore Committee.

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?

Baltimore's leading business group is touting the economic benefits of bringing casino gambling to Maryland, but has stopped short of endorsing such a move.The Greater Baltimore Committee released a study yesterday suggesting that 10 casinos in Maryland -- including five in the Baltimore area -- would generate $435 million in tax revenues and create more than 12,000 new jobs statewide."There is strong evidence it would have a major economic impact," said GBC Chairman Frank P. Bramble, chief executive of First Maryland Bancorp.

Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke came out firmly last night against casino gambling in Baltimore, saying municipalities where casinos exist have received scant economic benefits.Mr. Schmoke, who is bidding for a third term, voiced his opposition to allowing casinos to operate in Baltimore in response to a question posed at a candidates' forum sponsored by Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD), a church-based social action group."Based on my review, I oppose casino gambling for Baltimore City," the mayor told the BUILD forum at Grace Presbyterian Church in Northwest Baltimore, which was attended by several hundred members representing more than 40 churches.

Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke has suddenly decided to take a stand against casinos in Baltimore. How odd. He was supposed to be awaiting the findings of a task force he appointed last year, chaired by retired Judge Harry A. Cole, before making a pronouncement. But in an election year, strange things can happen. Mr. Schmoke's politically motivated announcement that he opposes casinos now makes the Cole commission moot.When the mayor announced last year that the retired Court of Appeals judge would head the casino commission, he explained that the matter of legalizing casino gaming in Baltimore City involved such complicated questions that a thorough examination was required by a special panel.

Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke's sudden declaration that he is firmly against casino gambling in Baltimore must have come as a surprise to retired Judge Harry A. Cole. He was supposed to be heading up a commission studying the issue for the mayor. Now, Mr. Schmoke's politically motivated announcement renders that commission irrelevant.A year ago, when Mr. Schmoke appointed the retired Court of Appeals judge to lead the casino commission, the mayor said that deciding the matter involved such complicated questions they had to be thoroughly examined.