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Ex-Leaders of Md. Democrats Join List of Donors Backing Slots Effort
Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert).
(By James M. Thresher -- The Washington Post)
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It remains unclear what level of involvement Peter Angelos would have in a Maryland slots operation. Under Major League Baseball rules, the Orioles owner is not permitted to have an ownership stake in a gambling enterprise.
In 2004, Peter Angelos's wife and two of his sons struck a tentative deal to buy Rosecroft Raceway, a financially struggling harness-racing track in Prince George's County, at a time when it appeared it could be a possible slots venue. At the time, Peter Angelos described himself as an informal adviser to his family.
The family backed out of the deal as the prospects for slots at the track dimmed. Under the proposal on Tuesday's ballot, Rosecroft would not be eligible for a slots license.
Peter Angelos and Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), who is championing the slots measure, have had a strained relationship dating to O'Malley's tenure as mayor of Baltimore. In June, they shared dinner in Baltimore's Little Italy at Miller's instigation.
Under state law, committees formed to support and oppose the slots measure were most recently required to disclose donations received by Oct. 19. The next deadline for reporting contributions is Nov. 25.
The donations of several other entities with an interest in operating a slots site were included in earlier reports to the State Board of Elections.
The pro-slots group's largest contribution, $2 million, came from the Laurel Racing Association, the company that runs Laurel Park. The contribution flowed through its Canadian parent company, Magna Entertainment, which is struggling financially.
Penn National, a Pennsylvania-based gaming company that is angling to operate the Cecil County slots site, was reported to have donated $1 million to the pro-slots group.
The group has also reported receiving $275,000 from the Allegany Racing Association, which is controlled by William Rickman, a Potomac developer. Rickman owns Ocean Downs, a Worcester County racetrack that would be eligible to bid for a slots license.
Three of Rickman's sisters have also donated $25,000 each to the pro-slots group.
