Jackpot Or Bust For Slots Effort

Putting slots to a public vote would require passage of two pieces of legislation. The first, which serves to put the issue on the ballot, requires a supermajority of three-fifths of the chamber. The second, which provides details on where machines would be and how their proceeds would be divided, requires only a simple majority to pass.

O'Malley and other slots supporters were engaged in a complicated lobbying campaign yesterday, leaning on some delegates who have opposed slots to vote for the referendum even if they wind up opposing the more detailed bill.

"My appeal to them is that we haven't been able to resolve this," O'Malley told reporters yesterday. "We need to resolve it. . . . We hope the House will let the people decide."

O'Malley called the stalemate over slots "the monkey wrench in the cogs of compromise."

Several Democratic delegates who are leaning toward voting against a public referendum on slot machine gambling said they have been lobbied in recent days by O'Malley and others in his administration to support the bill, although most were reluctant to speak about it publicly.

O'Malley "lobbied me aggressively for the referendum," said an anti-slots Democratic delegate, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he did not want to be seen speaking publicly against the governor. "He was trying hard. He wanted my vote. . . . He was really trying to woo me."

Although she has long opposed slot machine gambling, Del. Tawanna P. Gaines (D-Prince George's) said she would support the referendum. But she said she has not been persuaded by the governor's office.

"I keep my phone on silent," Gaines said. "I don't want to be influenced or swayed based on personal relationships."

Other delegates said they remained undecided about the issue.

"I haven't made up my mind," said Del. Dan K. Morhaim (D-Baltimore County). He said his vote hinges on the bill's details, such as locations and the process of awarding licenses for the machines. Morhaim said the governor's office had not reached out to him. "Maybe that will come today," he said.

House leaders have floated the idea of a Frederick slots venue for the past few days. Del. Frank S. Turner (D-Howard), who chairs the subcommittee with jurisdiction over slots, said that it could serve Montgomery residents who now travel to West Virginia to play slots.

Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince George's) said it is "a possibility" that both the Frederick and Worcester sites could wind up in a compromise bill worked out by House and Senate leaders.

Del. Richard B. Weldon Jr. (R), chairman of the Frederick delegation, said he is disturbed that delegates would recommend slot machines in Frederick to satisfy Montgomery gamblers.

"If we're going to carry that logic and most inane point, then build the damn thing in Montgomery County," Weldon said. "Build it in Rockville. If we're going to accommodate Montgomery County gamblers, then build it in their back yard."

Staff writers Philip Rucker and Ovetta Wiggins contributed to this report.