Big Potential, Questions for A Venue at Laurel Park

The Baltimore-Washington Parkway runs close by Laurel Park, the nearly century-old horse-racing track in Anne Arundel County, and then lopes northeast 12 miles before reaching the weathered wooden sign that welcomes travelers to Baltimore.

A site along this leafy corridor could become home to Maryland's largest slots venue if voters approve a November referendum proposal. The Anne Arundel location, which would receive nearly one-third of the 15,000 machines, is considered the biggest prize of the five potential sites -- and it is generating some of the biggest questions.

Although the track remains the leading option for slots in Anne Arundel, a string of financial losses reported by its Canadian owner, Magna Entertainment, has fueled speculation about whether a yet-to-be-appointed state commission might look favorably at alternatives.

Other potential locations along the parkway that have been floated include a shuttered polka parlor, land around the sprawling Arundel Mills shopping center and the hotel district of Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport.

"There's no guarantee for any of the sites to go to any individual," said House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel), who would appoint two of the seven members of the site-selection commission.

Even if voters statewide endorsed slots, there is also no guarantee that Anne Arundel leaders would permit their arrival. A provision approved by the legislature last year made clear that slots venues would be subject to local zoning decisions.

Whether Anne Arundel officials will make the change to allow 4,750 machines at any location remains an open question -- and it is an important one. Given the number of machines envisioned, hang-ups in Anne Arundel could severely undercut the more than $600 million in annual revenue that legislative analysts say slots could yield for education and other state programs.

The prospect of slots has split the seven-member Anne Arundel County Council, with several members now saying they want to see the referendum results first. County Executive John R. Leopold (R), who voted consistently against expanded gambling as a state delegate, has been noncommittal.

In an interview last week, Leopold said he will look closely at the referendum results, examining support in his county, particularly among residents near potential slots venues. Several residential areas are near the track, whose main entrance is off Route 198, amid a stretch of stores and restaurants.

"If the question is asked: 'Would you like slots within two miles of your house?' the outcome might well be different," Leopold said.

The plan being put to voters earmarks up to another $100 million a year from slots proceeds -- at track and non-track locations alike -- to enhance racing purses and help horse breeders, steps many in racing say are necessary to ensure its survival in Maryland. Leopold said such subsidies amount to "an ill-advised bailout of an obsolete industry to which few voters have any connection."

Under a plan hammered out last year by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and lawmakers, all five slots locations would, at least in theory, be subject to competitive bidding, with the state commission picking winners. Other sites would be located in Allegany, Cecil and Worcester counties and Baltimore. Some locations appear more likely to invite competition than others.