Thinking Out Loud: MGM Gamble Should Not Pay Off

Let me get this straight.  As the Baltimore Sun reported, MGM Resorts International will build a casino at National Harbor in Prince George's County, near Washington, D.C., from which they will surely reap millions of dollars in profits each year, but only if the State of Maryland lowers the tax rate on gambling revenue and allows table games.  Do I have that right?

It should be noted that this is the same Prince George's County that initially did not want any casino in their jurisdiction.

And, to make this story even more outlandish, the Sun also reported that Governor O'Malley is actually going to consider MGM's offer.  This is the same Governor O'Malley who raised taxes on Maryland's richest residents.  (Note:  I did support the tax increase, by the way.)

Representatives of the Cordish Co. , which operates the Maryland Live! casino at Arundel Mills, in Anne Arundel County, had it right when they told the Sun that not only does Cordish not need any tax break on gambling profits, but that MGM has no right to come barging into our state - invited - making demands that we need to change our rules. 

It is as if we, the State of Maryland, have invited MGM to our party and they will accept but only if we change our rules. 

Imagine going to a party where all the snacks were sugar free because one guest was diabetic. 

No thanks.

And all this is happening while Baltimore is still floundering without a casino. 

I have always been in favor of full gaming in the state.  And I did not have any hard opposition to a new casino at National Harbor, until now.  The entire deal is beginning to stink like so many dead fish floating belly up in the Bay. 

I think the General Assembly should meet in a special session this summer to approve the expansion of gambling in Maryland to include table games and to expand the number of gambling locations to six, with National Harbor as the location for the sixth casino.  This would put the issue before the voters in the November election.

But, the General Assembly should separate the two issues.  There should be two questions for Marylanders to decide.

The first question should be whether or not to allow table games.  The second question should be whether or not to allow a sixth casino.

And, if the voters approve a sixth casino, it should be established under current tax law.  If MGM doesn't like what we serve at our party, let them eat a piece of sugar-free cake someplace else.