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Ocean Downs Wants to Gamble On Slots; Business Owners Don't
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No individual or facility is guaranteed a license if the referendum is approved by voters. But the legislation was clearly crafted with Ocean Downs in mind. It says that one of the five slots venues would be located in Worcester County within one mile of the intersection of Route 50 and Route 589, where the track is located.
Rickman took over Ocean Downs in 2001 and shortly thereafter completely renovated the track's clubhouse, which now features a sit-down restaurant called Pacers and rows of televisions that simulcast races from tracks across the country. Ocean Downs is open for betting on those races year-round from noon until midnight.
Speculation about Rickman's involvement in slots has become something of a parlor game itself.
Shortly after O'Malley was elected in 2006, companies affiliated with Rickman and his family gave more than $48,000 to O'Malley's campaign account and an account run jointly by O'Malley and running mate Anthony G. Brown. The donations, logged over just two days, were widely seen as a sign of Rickman's interest in having Ocean Downs included in any slots legislation offered by the governor.
Despite heavy courting by slots supporters more recently, Rickman has given no public indication that he intends to contribute to an O'Malley-backed ballot-issue committee that is working toward passage of the November referendum.
Rickman did not return a phone call seeking comment. During a reporter's recent visit to Ocean Downs, the track's publicity director gave a tour of the facility, including the stables where horses waiting to race were housed. But he declined to discuss slots or where on the property the machines might be located, referring questions to Rickman.
Under Maryland's legislation, slots operators would keep almost one-third of the proceeds, a smaller percentage than Delaware allows Rickman's track there to keep. Another potential Maryland location, in Cecil County, could capture some Marylander gamblers who would otherwise drive to Rickman's Delaware facility, if the issue is approved.
In a March interview, Rickman hedged when asked whether he planned to financially support the pro-slots effort in Maryland, and he cited polling showing majorities favoring the legalization of slots.
"It's going to take a lot of bad press to turn public opinion around," he said.
