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06/09/09
ANNAPOLIS (AP) — Lawyers for Laurel Racing went to Maryland's highest court on Tuesday to argue that its rejected bid for a slot machine license should be put back into consideration by a state commission. Find Us On Facebook
But attorneys for the state contended that Laurel Racing's failure to put up a $28.5 million licensing fee simply disqualifies the company from consideration because it failed to play by the rules defined in law.
Michael Berman, an attorney for Laurel Racing, argued before the Court of Appeals that Laurel Racing did not submit the license fee, because the law did not adequately guarantee a refund if a state commission...
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2
Slots - 2009-06-18 11:07:18
Matt D, no anger here, we are just utilizing our first amendment rights and engaging in dialoque to flesh out what is an isn't happening with this issue. I enjoy everyones opinions, although I may not agree with them. Thank God we live in America. It does appear that your issue is with slots in general, as you stated that beware that "locals" will be betting at AM, doesn't that also apply to Laurel? In fact, aren't locals already putting money into gaming as we type? Is it better for locals to go elsewhere and enhance and help subsidize other States education and health programs? My point is that there was a process put into place by the people and Magna, Laurel, Defrancis, Miller et al want to change the rules. Do you really think the AA Councilmembers are calling the shots on this one? Their lack of decision making capabilities is probably the most disturbing part of this whole situation, whether they vote for zoning for both locations or not. I think we could all agree on that point. What ever party you are a member of of, we should all remember the spring and summer of 09, when the AA county council members lack of "backbone" probably set back the chance of having reputable gaming operators consider our State whether there is a rebid or not. Paul W, I think you make some valid points.
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Mark D. - Pasadena, MD - Karma: Neutral
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1
Stimulate harbor center - 2009-06-17 19:23:08
We need to fill up all the lost tenants in the Harbor Center. I vote that the State put the gambling place as close to annapolis as possible.
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reggie schmoenberg - annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral
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1
gone fishing? - 2009-06-17 18:06:13
Please stop baiting people and then act offended when they respond. Before anyone acts offended, I am not angry with anyone or making comments on lifestyles.
Why do the arguements against slots only apply to Arundel Mills but not Laurel? What do you have against the people of Laurel that they should have not have your problems with a casino? I have met people from both Laurel and the AM area and all of them are fine upstanding persons.
If anything, Miller and O'Malley are doing as much as they can to get the casino from AM to Laurel and their friends. Over 5 million dollars from established gaming companies went into getting the casino referendum on the ballot. Cordish ( a local developer)came out of left field (playing by rules set by the people) and is now being played a villian? Penn Gaming is now talking about bidding on Laurel? They already have Cecil County. What happened to one location per company? Not for friends? Save Preakness? It will go to Delaware.
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Paul W. - Baltimore, MD - Karma: Neutral
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2
Hey Mark D. - 2009-06-17 15:56:56
Hey Mark, I guess you last post was addressed to me, and wow, are you angry with me for some reason? I get that the schools need help, I just doubt that slot machines are going to get them where you hope they will. And slot machine money isn't free cash falling from the sky, it comes out of the pockets of mostly local players. Be wary of tax shortfalls in other areas once slot dollars ramp up. As for your quote, I'm assuming you mean former President Clinton, and I can't imagine in any way how anything I've written here indicates that he is a person I admire. Try to use more critical thinking and apply facts to your posts, it makes them more credible.
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Matthew D. - Churchton, MD - Karma: Neutral
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2
Matt - 2009-06-15 13:13:19
Matt, yes we would like to see the money put into the pockets of our schools, at a 67% tax rate I'm surprised we had any bids, oh yea we didn't have a bid at Laurel Park. We are in a recession and to quote a man that I'm sure you admired, "It's the economy stupid"
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Mark D. - Pasadena, MD - Karma: Neutral
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3
Harbor Center - 2009-06-12 23:48:33
Now that Parole has cannibalized the Annapolis Harbor Center, Slots could revitalize that area. Put Slots in the Annapolis Harbor Center where it belongs.
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reggie schmoenberg - annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral
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2
not wrong, just too simple - 2009-06-12 23:19:28
It may have been too simple to compare this deal as a play by the rules, but how else should the business community react? It really has nothing to do with competition. If you insert uncertainties by changing rules and showing partiality, what legitimate entity would want to bid? I did not approve of slots in the referendum but since I live in a democracy, I will abide with the majority. I want to see this done as right as possible. As for Arundel Mills being a family destination, why is everything I hear is crime and traffic? The casino is not there yet!?
Horse racing gamblers do not generally play slots and vice versa. Slot players are usually more elder citizens. Just as table players do not usually play slots. One thing I am certain, I do not want a bankrupt company that has gone bankrupt from building failed casinos putting anything in Maryland. Cordish has the money and past reputation of building successful developments.
Over 14 million visitors to Arundel Mills Mall is simple math. If Laurel had 14 million going there, MD would not be bailing out the horse industry. What draws horse racing gamblers to the tracks is bigger purses and the more successful casino would make those bigger purses. Horse racing gamblers are not attracted by location of slot machines. A free buffet would more likely draw a bigger crowd. There is nothing personal about this.
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Paul W. - Baltimore, MD - Karma: Neutral
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2
OBTW... - 2009-06-12 15:43:22
18 homeowners and civic associations have come out against slots at Arundel Mills Mall, including Harman's Civic Association and the Jessup Improvement Association. Dorchester is just one of the 18. Why focus on them?
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Rob A - hanover, MD - Karma: Excellent
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1
Learn the Facts - 2009-06-12 15:36:53
www.stopslotsatamm.com
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Rob A - hanover, MD - Karma: Excellent
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3
I just don't see the point of rushi - 2009-06-12 11:26:00
Number your points doesn't make them facts... Thousands of jobs? No environmental footprint? Security force to augment the police (really???) Slots were approved by the state, so AA county has to shut up and take it? I don't think so. Slots were approved with the caveat that the counties have final say in regards to zoning. I think it's obvious that the people of AA county thought the Laurel would be the destination, and now that it isn't, they have an opportunity and responsibility to say no to Arundel Mills if that is how they feel. I'm not sure why you are so adamant that AMM is the best place for slots. None of your arguments address that (except for that environmental thing) I get that the appliaction period has passed. So what, we have to ram slots into a place people appear to not wants them? To save the schools? Too bad about crime??? We need leaders that can do the right thing... slow down the process... think it out and come to a GOOD conclusion. Not the one that puts money in someone pocket 'right now'.
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Matthew D. - Churchton, MD - Karma: Neutral
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4
It's simple really - 2009-06-12 09:24:31
1)We the people of Maryland approved slots.
at designated sites.
2)The only campaign money that was use to lobby for gaming came from the Laurel people not Cordish.
3)Our public schools are in financial trouble and need immediate funding.
4) The horse racing industry needs funds to survive. Slots at whatever location will provide that funding.
5) Cordish legally bid within the designated slots area, Magna did not.
6) We are in an economic recession and people are being laid off as we speak.
7) Slots will create thousands of living wage and high paying jobs.
8) The enviroment, Laurel Park is surrounded by and sits on wetlands, woods, and sits over a major river that feeds into the bay. Can a Bankrupt company ensure that they will not cause ecological damage? Arundel Mills will have virtually no enviromental footprint.
9) Crime is happening all over the County, my heart goes out to the citizens of Crofton, sorry Dorchester but speculating about crime is ignoring the realities that crime happens everywhere and the Casino at Arundel Mills will have a security force that will augment the police. What community do you propose to pull police from?
10) This is not personal this is reality.
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Mark D. - Pasadena, MD - Karma: Neutral
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0
Hold On A Sec - 2009-06-12 09:19:23
Lets change that to some slot players play the horses. Most of the slot players I know have NO interest in horse betting and some don't gamble at the other casino games of chance, either. So slots and horse racing in the saviour of our economy woes. Didnt we hear this when the lottery was approved?
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Rick M. - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
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1
You got it all wrong Paul W. - 2009-06-11 16:42:03
People seem to want to make this a competition... MAGNA lost so they can't have it. Sour Grapes. Etc. The good of Maryland isn't a grudge match, stop making it personal. Ignoring whether slots are good or bad, think about the stated purpose. Rejuvenating the horse racing industy and money for schools. How does drawing gamblers to a successful family destination help anyone? And slot players DO bet on horses and track attendees will play slots. And so do their family members, spouses and friends.
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Matthew D. - Churchton, MD - Karma: Neutral
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2
Fair Play - 2009-06-11 11:46:40
Magna did not play by the rules. It is that simple. Same thing your child learns at school or church.
There would be more uncertaintiy if the licenses were re-bid. What kind of message would that be? Play by the rules, pay on time, if
a friend of the States does not win the bid, run the process again.
As for comments on which site would benefit Preakness and the horse racing indistry. The site that would bring in the most money! That site may not be Laurel. It does not have to be at a race track. Horse gamblers and horses do not play slots. Slot players do not bet on horses.
I think In-state developers should have preference. They keep more money in state, should have more of a personal investment, and presumably the State would be able to exert more control.
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Paul W. - Baltimore, MD - Karma: Neutral
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4
Fry and Cordish - 2009-06-10 09:49:46
What has not been discussed is that Donald Fry is the President and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee. Until very recently, David Cordish was on the Board of Directors of the Greater Baltimore Committee.
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R. A - hanover, MD - Karma: Excellent
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3
vice world - 2009-06-10 09:43:22
Surely it can't be a bad idea to have gambling att The Block in Baltimore. It could be a one-stop shop for all things decadent. Don't you agree my friends ?
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reggie schmoenberg - annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral
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2
Whats Going On? - 2009-06-10 09:28:54
What's going on? Magna didnt have the cash, so they missed the deadline, after the slots deadline, they then filed bankruptcy. Bottom line, they want the slots to get them out of bankruptcy. The law markers should not cave.
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Rick M. - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
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3
State Shoots Own Foot - 2009-06-10 08:19:49
Matthew D. makes a valid point here. The State of Maryland is woefully short of funds. Gambling was approved only in designated zones purposely placed near existing betting sites. Why isn't the state working closer with Laurel Racing to remove any roadblocks?
Why is the state just rolling out the red carpet to the Cordish congested Arundel Mills Mall site located where all the teens hang out? That place is a traffic nightmare every day already. Does this have anything with campaign donations or what? It certainly does not have much to do with common sense. Let the gamblers go to the track to play the ponies and slots, like they do in Dover.
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T. Williams - Virginia Beach, VA - Karma: Excellent
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2
you forgot to mention the 67% tax - 2009-06-09 20:46:18
Finally these "tax everything" liberal Lawmakers are realizing you can't just take $67 out of every $100.(the highest tax in the country). What gives you the right? Now I know why our forefathers had the Boston tea party.
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rick rodos - annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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2
Sore losers - 2009-06-09 16:44:30
"What's going on here" is that Magna didn't pony up with the legally required fees with its application for slots - while the other interested parties did - and now wants to do some legal maneuvering and arm-twisting to get to get in on the action.
They had the chance to play by the rules and chose not to, and now they're whining about it. They did it to themselves - no state agency, committee or person is to blame except the genius at Magna who suggested that Magna deliberately not pay the fee with its application and then sue to get their illegal (as in they didn't fulfill all of the requiremnts established by the law) bid accepted after the deadline had passed.
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Michael Calo - Glen Burnie, MD - Karma: Good
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Who is benefitting here??? - 2009-06-09 16:25:13
What's going on???
On one hand we have every lawmaker in the state trying to save Preakness and horse racing in Maryland. On the other and, we have a slot commission that is bent on making sure Laurel Racetrack doesn't get slots.
What's the agenda here, to make sure there are slot machines at Arundel Mills? I thought the idea was to put the slot machines at places that needed an economic boost and where people were already gambling.
Makes me wonder what the special interest of the members of the commission is. Does someone own a share of something?
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Matthew D. - Churchton, MD - Karma: Neutral
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