Comptroller Warns That Slots Could Hijack National Harbor

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot (D), a vocal opponent of the November ballot measure to legalize slots, yesterday kicked off an anti-gambling conference at National Harbor in Prince George's County by arguing that approval of the proposal could open the door to more gaming, including casinos at National Harbor, the Inner Harbor in Baltimore or downtown Bethesda.

"Let's face it, the gambling industry is going to go where the money and the people are," Franchot said. "What a shame it would be, after fighting for quality development here in Prince George's County, to have this jewel hijacked by the gambling industry and turned into a casino."

The ballot proposal calls for up to 15,000 slot machines to be placed in venues in Baltimore and in Allegany, Anne Arundel, Cecil and Worcester counties. The General Assembly would have to approve additional legislation to allow gaming elsewhere in the state.

The decision by StopPredatoryGambling.org and the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling to hold their two-day event at National Harbor was strategic. Tom Grey, field director for the coalition, said Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center was chosen because the resort, which booked more than 1 million rooms before its opening this spring, has been successful without slots or casinos.

"We wanted a high-end resort area that is free of gambling," he said.

Bonnie Bick, who lives in Oxon Hill near the waterfront development, vigorously fought efforts to include gaming at the resort. She said yesterday that it was a celebration for her to have the national anti-gambling group at National Harbor.

"We're meeting in the largest non-gaming hotel and convention center, and we intend to keep it that way," Franchot said to a round of applause.

Amie Gorrell, a spokeswoman for Gaylord National, said, "Slots have never been slated for Gaylord and that has never been part of our overall plan, and it's not something we are interested in getting into."

National Harbor did not respond to a request for comment.

One of the highlights of the two-day event was a keynote address from Taylor Branch, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author of "Parting the Waters," a biography of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Branch's speech last night was expected to contrast state-sponsored gambling against American democratic values.

Sessions were also scheduled to discuss the design and technology behind electronic gambling machines, online gambling, addiction and how states have become reliant on gambling to pay for public services.