sports wagering – Sandy Rosenberg

The odds are that there will soon be sports betting in Maryland.

Legislation to put this issue on the ballot in November got a favorable report yesterday from a Senate committee.

The voters must approve because we amended the state constitution to permit slots and table games and must do so for any expansion of gambling.

People who don’t gamble on horse racing would come to Pimlico to wager on professional and collegiate sports. My bet is they would come back – to gamble again and to take advantage of the other entertainment options we expect to have there.

I will have a role in this process.

Prior to the vote in November, the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency would develop draft regulations so that sports wagering could begin soon thereafter if the voters approve.

I am the House chair of the committee that will review these regulations.

“This is an opportunity to prove that a single building can unite an often-divided city, provide launchpads for under-represented entrepreneurs, and be a catalyst for further inclusive economic development in the area,” Thibault Manekin said in a statement announcing that his development firm had secured financing for an overhaul of Lexington Market.

Lexington Market was Baltimore’s Harborplace – before there was a Harborplace.

People from around the city would come there to shop for groceries, including fresh meat and fish, and eat lunch.

I do the latter.

But the Market has fallen on hard times.

I wrote Thibault, “I hope we can say the same thing about the redevelopment of Pimlico Race Course by the end of the legislative session.”

Speaking of Pimlico, I ran into a friend today who asked if there would be sports betting at the new facility.

“Most likely,” I replied.

His first trip there with his sports buddies would be followed by dinner and wagering.

We hope.

My Key Issues:

Tag: sports wagering

Good Odds

Before there was a Harborplace

My Key Issues: