Slots in Anne Arundel County

As County Executive, Joanna will implement the will of the people as quickly as possible.  If Referendum A passes, she will work closely with the Cordish Companies to help them open their Live! Casino at Arundel Mills Mall as soon as possible.  If Referendum A fails, Joanna will work with the state commission, the County Council, and local businesspeople to rapidly consider alternative sites for slot machines along the 295 corridor.  

Personally, Joanna is against slots at Arundel Mills Mall, as she outlined in a Letter to the Editor published in the Maryland Gazette on 10/10/09:  

The area around Arundel Mills mall is a thriving residential area with hundreds of homes right across the street and behind the mall. Baltimore City prohibited slot machines on properties adjacent to or within 1/4 mile of property zoned for residential use. If the same protections had been written into the bill for Anne Arundel County residents, slots at Arundel Mills mall probably wouldn't have been an option.

Senate Bill 3 was written assuming that Laurel Park Racecourse would be the Anne Arundel site for slot machines, and this location makes far more sense. Laurel Park sits on relatively secluded land where people have been betting on horse races since 1911. While there are some homes in the area, it is likely that the residents have made their peace with gambling.

There's no reason we should risk the quality of life of families who live near Arundel Mills mall. The County Council should reject Leopold's request to rezone the area. If the tax revenue is critical to the state, leaders should shift their focus to figuring out how to reopen the bidding to allow slots at Laurel Park Racecourse.

Since this letter was written a year ago, the management of Laurel Park Racecourse has changed, potentially precluding them from being considered for a slots license.  There are other locations along the 295 corridor, however, that might be good alternatives for a slots casino, such as near the airport.