Will Laurel Park have competition for slots?

Laurel Park seems destined to get the slot machine license in Anne Arundel County if state residents pass the gambling referendum up for a vote next month.

After all, millions of dollars would be siphoned off from slots revenues to buttress horse racing purses and racetrack improvements under the proposal.

Until the recent campaign focus on education needs, saving the horse-racing industry and putting the machines at traditional gambling centers was the mantra of pro-slots interests in Annapolis.

But voters will not choose whether to authorize slots at the racetrack. Rather, they will be voting on whether to allow slots within 2 miles of Baltimore-Washington Parkway.

After some initial silence, Laurel Park has started ponying up big bucks for the chance at getting the largest slots license in the state, with up to 4,750 out of a maximum of 15,000 machines at stake.

In September, the parent company of Magna Entertainment Corp. - the Canadian owner of the county track - authorized it to spend up to $2 million on the referendum.

When the General Assembly passed the constitutional amendment that will be on the Nov. 4 ballot, however, it established five possible locations with varying degrees of specificity.

For example, the Allegany County site has to be on state property associated with Rocky Gap State Park, in a building physically separate from the lodge and golf resort. In Cecil County, the machines would have to be within 2 miles of Interstate 95.

If the referendum passes, the actual sites will be picked by the seven-member Facility Location Commission: Three people would be appointed by the governor, and two each would be appointed by the senate president and house speaker.

Rumors, speculation

Considering the size of the potential Anne Arundel County location - about 50 square miles - probably at least two groups will vie for a license if the referendum passes, said Councilman Jamie Benoit, D-Crownsville, whose district includes that area.

"There's a host of people who could get involved," said Mr. Benoit, who has been a vocal opponent of slots.

Laurel Park is anticipating there will be some competition, said Mike Gathagan, a spokesman.

"I think we would be arrogant to think otherwise," he said.

Rumors have centered on places such as the soon-to-be reopened Blob's Park in Jessup, and both the mall behemoth Arundel Mills, as well as the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport area, would geographically qualify. But even slots opponents doubt the machines are bound for anywhere but the racetrack.

"It's just been speculation," said Councilman Josh Cohen, D-Annapolis. "I really think the only likely place would be Laurel racetrack."

Even though Blob's Park could be a "great venue" for slot machines, right now the focus is on a restoration and renovation project that will take the facility back to its former state as an authentic Bavarian Biergarten, said Max Eggerl, a member of the family partnership that owns the land.

Mr. Eggerl doubts Blob's Park would ever be a serious slots contender.

"Anything is possible ... but right now I think it is pure speculation and just that," he said. "To my knowledge, there has been no hard discussion in any quarter."

Les Morris, a spokesman for the parent company of Arundel Mills, declined to comment on whether there has been any consideration of competing for a slots license.

The Cordish Companies, a Baltimore real estate and entertainment company, has reportedly expressed interest in the Anne Arundel site. A spokesman did not reply to an e-mail or multiple phone calls.

The racetrack is waiting until after Election Day to put together a specific proposal for the license, Mr. Gathagan said.

"Our location is the best one available," he said. "We are quietly confident."

Yet even if the referendum passes, another plot twist may be lying ahead.

Under the legislation, any slots facility has to "comply with all applicable planning and zoning laws of the local jurisdiction." Essentially, that means the County Council would have to specifically pass zoning legislation allowing the machines.

Mr. Benoit and Mr. Cohen have said they will vote against any plan to allow slots, and two others - councilmen Ed Middlebrooks, R-Severn, and Ed Reilly, R-Crofton - have said they will be less likely to support a zoning change if most county residents vote against the referendum.

If zoning changes do not limit the slots to Laurel Park, the chances of getting majority support will worsen, Mr. Benoit said.

"Those four votes (on the county council) may prove to be somewhat elusive," he said. "If the racetrack doesn't get it, I think this is dead."