Md. House Backs Referendum on Legalizing Slots

Before approving the referendum bill, the House added a provision that would require slots operators to comply with local planning and zoning laws. The Senate bill does not include similar language.

Delegates said the amendment, approved on a voice vote, was designed to give elected officials in Worcester a way out of allowing slots. Under the bill, the most likely location in the county is Ocean Downs racetrack, which is near Ocean City.

"If the town fathers don't want it, they won't have it," House Majority Leader Kumar P. Barve (D-Montgomery) said.

The amendment could also come into play if a site other than Laurel Park racetrack were selected for slots in Anne Arundel, said County Executive John R. Leopold (R). The track is considered the most likely venue in the county, but a license could be awarded elsewhere near Route 295.

Another amendment failed, 67 to 61, that would have allowed slots parlors only to be located in jurisdictions in which a majority of voters approve the statewide referendum.

The Senate, which last week passed five bills introduced by O'Malley, met briefly this morning, before recessing until today.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) reiterated his view that lawmakers should not pass the slots referendum legislation and leave town without agreeing on an implementation bill. Some delegates suggested this week that bill could be considered later, given the referendum date is nearly a year away.

"It's like selling a car and the people make payments on it for a year and there's no motor in the car so it doesn't go," Miller said.

Staff writer Ovetta Wiggins contributed to this report.