Maryland Live

Four years ago, we endorsed the constitutional amendment that legalized slot machine gambling in Maryland, and we still support it. We think it would be wise for Maryland to eventually expand its gambling program to include table games like blackjack and poker, which would attract additional economic development and create more jobs. It might even be a good idea one day to allow a sixth casino in Prince George's County to take better advantage of the tourist and convention trade in nearby Washington, D.C. But we oppose Question 7, the gambling expansion measure on November's ballot, because it's a bad deal for Maryland's taxpayers.

We support Maryland's slot machine gambling program, and we think it would be wise to eventually expand it to include table games, which would attract additional economic development and create more jobs. It might even be a good idea one day to allow a sixth casino in Prince George's County to take better advantage of the tourist and convention trade in nearby Washington, D.C. But we oppose Question 7, the gambling expansion measure on November's ballot, because it's a bad deal for Maryland's taxpayers.

The Cordish Cos. has entered into a joint venture that plans to apply for a license to develop a casino in Philadelphia, the Baltimore-based developer announced Friday. Cordish developed and runs Maryland Live casino at Arundel Mills mall. Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment Inc., the owner-operator of a six-year-old gambling facility outside Philadelphia, is forming the joint venture with Cordish. They're calling it Stadium Casino LLC, Cordish said. The name references the area of Philadelphia where the joint venture is proposing to build its casino, which will house both slots and table games.

On a recent night, sandwiched between television coverage of Olympic dressage and synchronized diving, a commercial touted the benefits of a new casino at National Harbor in Prince George's County. "Good-paying jobs. Better schools," said a man's voice. "But it won't happen if the special interests get in the way. " Within minutes, a woman in another ad warned that the state legislature is rushing a deal to build a casino at National Harbor. The culprit? "Casino special interests," she said.

When it comes to politics, I no longer have any respect for our elected officials. I will not vote for an incumbent. First, there were guidelines as to how many casinos would be available for bidding. Maryland Live abided by the rules and gave the state a class operation. Now, a new casino opportunity is being touted forPrince George's County("A home run for the state," June 15). Gee, I wonder if Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller has anything to do with it? Will he benefit under the table?

Hundreds of Anne Arundel County charities are hoping to get a fundraising boost from a round-the-clock, online donation event. The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County will host the "Great Give" from 7 p.m. Wednesday through 7 p.m. on Thursday. Donors can go to a designated website -- greatgiveaac.razoo.com -- to donate to their favorite charities. Corporate sponsors are paying for the administrative costs, so 100 percent of donations will go to participating charities.

National Harbor's hired expert on the gambling industry is predicting that the Cordish Cos.' Maryland Live! casino at Arundel Mills would enjoy an $84 million annual windfall from a gambling expansion plan favored by the developers of the Prince George's County complex. Predictably, Cordish Cos. chief executive David Cordish is not impressed Andrew J. Moody, head of Business Research and Economic Advisors, sent a report to a state-sponsored work group on gambling expansion, in which he projects that Maryland Live!

Annapolis may be located on the banks of the Severn River, but during the first three months of the year it often seems to be an island - so isolated are members of the General Assembly from real life. The gyrations of lawmakers over the high-stakes issues of gambling and transportation have produced many such only-in-the-State-House moments in recent years. So, naturally, it makes sense that when the two are combined - as in an absurd proposal to install 2,500 slot machines at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport - the result is the kind of empty, pandering legislation that does the institution no credit.

Maryland's casinos will be allowed to open 24 hours a day under new regulations approved Thursday by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission that also relaxed limits on ATMs and lending to gamblers in the facilities. With the advent of full-scale casino gambling in Maryland after voters approved table games in the November election, the commission is updating the regulatory regime and relaxing some restrictions. The changes also added new rules, including some governing junkets that casinos provide to high-rolling gamblers.