National Harbor

The approach to National Harbor, where three highways meet on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, is pretty much a wow, with the arched 18-story atrium of a massive convention hotel its centerpiece. National Harbor is a still-new resort town on a slope overlooking the big river, with six hotels, upscale shops, restaurants, condominiums, marinas and a busy schedule of events that attract healthy crowds on weekends. David Cordish must look at Nat Harbor and wish he'd thought of it. Or maybe he wishes the place had been available as a location for gambling four years ago, when Maryland voters approved the return of slot machines to the state.

Although Maryland has handed out five casino operating licenses, the state is entering uncharted territory with the allocation of its sixth. For the first time, there's real competition. Three serious operators submitted bids to run a casino in Prince George's County, making the choice more competitive than the selections for other jurisdictions. "We're going to have to figure out how we do a fair evaluation," said Donald Fry, chairman of the state commission that will select the winner.

After the most expensive political campaign in Maryland's history, proponents of a plan to expand the reach and variety of casino gambling in Maryland won a narrow victory. The measure would allow Maryland casinos to offer table games such as blackjack and roulette, and allow a casino to be built in Prince George's County. Shortly before midnight - even as the final votes were being counted - supporters of the ballot question claimed victory and set off fireworks over National Harbor, the most likely site of that casino.

Before Gov.Martin O'Malleytook office, he said he considered casino gambling morally bankrupt. Despite that statement, he announced last week that a special session of the General Assembly will be held to address the expansion of gaming to National Harbor in Prince George's County ("O'Malley calls special session on gambling," July 27). In a previous letter to the editor, I expressed my opposition to expanding gaming to National Harbor which has become a very attractive destination in its own right without the need for a casino ("Don't gamble with National Harbor," June 3)

The pro-Question 7 elements tout that bringing another casino to National Harbor and adding table games to all six would provide 12,000 jobs. Presumably some of these would be at the Baltimore site, not yet built, but what they are really talking about is National Harbor. Look at a Prince George's County map. National Harbor is on the shore of the Potomac River, directly across the river from Virginia, and a short (but not necessary quick) drive across the Wilson Bridge. It's also about two miles from Washington, and a convenient drive out of the city down I-295.

On Monday, Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler is expected announce a partnership with Facebook on a national campaign to educate teens and parents about safety and privacy when using social media. Gansler, president of the National Association of Attorneys General, will discuss the initiative as he kicks off the NAAG Presidential Initiative Summit, "Privacy in the Digital Age. " The summit is being held at National Harbor, in southern Prince George's County. According to a release from the attorney general's office, the goal of the summit is to bring together attorneys general and representatives of the information technology industry, government and education and others to explore privacy risks and how to limit them.

Baltimore lawmakers had tough questions for Caesars executives during a Friday morning delegation meeting in Annapolis, with elected officials grilling the gambling giant on its commitment to the city. At issue is Caesars' support for legislation that would allow a sixth casino in Maryland -- a mega gambling palace potentially at National Harbor in Prince George's County that many believe would suck business from Baltimore. The company's position has led some lawmakers to believe Caesars is eying bidding there and abandoning their city proposal.

The license holder for the planned Baltimore casino and the developer of National Harbor have stepped up their spending on their ad blitz in favor of expanded gambling, raising the stakes by about $3 million. The new infusion brings the total outlay on both sides to more than $32 million -- closing in on the $34 million record for Maryland political spending set in the 2006 gubernatorial election. With its latest contribution of about $1.2 million, CBAC Gaming -- the Caesars Entertainment affiliate that plans to open a Harrah's casino near M&T Bank Stadium -- has increased its spending to $3.4 million.

In an effort to settle a dispute that has tied up the state budget and put a timely adjournment in doubt, a Senate committee approved a new, stripped-down gambling expansion bill Saturday morning. The legislation is expect to come to the floor during the session going on now (as of 11:25 p.m. Saturday.) The bill OKd by the Senate Budget & Taxation committee is an attempt to get voter approval of three basic principles in this year's election and to leave the details to the next General Assembly session.

Armed with a $500,000 war chest donated by the developer of National Harbor, former Prince George's County Executive Wayne K. Curry plans to conduct a grassroots campaign on behalf of the gambling expansion question on the Nov. 6 ballot. Curry's campaign committee will work parallel to the efforts of a separate group financed largely by MGM Resorts International, the prospective developer of a casino at National Harbor. That group, FOR Maryland Jobs and Schools, has already spent at least $21 million on a media blitz in support of Question 7, which would allow a Prince George's casino and permit tables games there and at already licensed Maryland slots parlors.