Gamblers in the state of Maryland may soon be able to play a variety of table games if a new measure recently introduced into legislation is passed. The new bill was proposed by Senator Douglas J.J. Peters and would allow games such as blackjack to be made available at the states casinos. It would also allow a new casino to be built in Prince George County.

The piece of legislation should be on the November ballot if all goes well. Peters stated that the proposal would require the approval of the voters statewide and in Prince George County. After that, local officials would then decide on any zoning provisions for the new casino.

Not only does the new bill allow all the above but it also increases the amount of money a casino operator is able to receive. Operators currently receive 33 percent of the revenues and the new measure has placed increased the amount to 40 percent.

Peters is hoping that eh new measure will be discussed in a hearing within the next two weeks. The state currently has only slot games at the casinos so players will be happy to have more gaming options. There are five casino sites available in the state under the law but only two casinos have opened.

The third casino is set to open this summer and hopefully two more will be created in the near future. The state is currently in stiff competition with other states for gamblers cash flow. The state of Delaware pulls in a lot of the state’s gamblers and Maryland is trying to keep the players in their home state.


- 2012-02-08