A planned slots parlor for Baltimore could rival in size one proposed for Anne Arundel County, now that the city Board of Estimates has approved an expansion of sites for a gambling venue in the city.
The Arundel slots proposal has come up lemons so far, due to opposition from local residents –could this land swap now make the city a stronger player than the suburbs?

The action taken by the city panel Wednesday would allow for a slots parlor to be built on city-owned land fronting Russell Street, south of Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium. The 11-acre parcel was to be the site of Gateway South, a retail and youth sports complex proposed by a development group with ties to Ravens player Ray Lewis. But the Baltimore City Entertainment Group, the sole bidder for a city slots site, has reached a tentative agreement with the Gateway South developers to take over the 11-acre, city-owned site with the idea of building a slots parlor there instead of on 6-acres of nearby land that include the city’s animal shelter.

“It seems like a better site, larger and more visible,” said M. Jay Brodie, head of the Baltimore Development Corp., which is overseeing disposition of city land for a slots parlor.

The deal is contingent on BCEG receiving a state license to operate a slots parlor and the commission reviewing those proposals isn’t expected to meet until fall, said Brodie. If the deal goes forward, Brodie said the city would keep the animal shelter at its current location behind Ravens stadium.

The land-swap would give BCEG more room to expand its slots capability from its original estimate of 500 machines to the maximum allowed, 3,750.

The tax revenue generated from a city gaming complex would be a boon for Baltimore, whose finances have suffered during this recession just as other local governments have lost revenue. BDC, the city’s economic development agency, has estimated the city could reap $20.8 million in taxes and lease fees in the slots parlor’s first year of operation.

The Anne Arundel slots facility, proposed by developer David Cordish and to be built at Arundel Mills mall, has been stalled because of opposition from area residents. The Anne Arundel County Council has repeatedly delayed a vote on the required zoning changes that would allow the facility at the mall.

by ANN LOLORDO
Ann LoLordo was a longtime reporter and editor for The Baltimore Sun.