Maryland Hands Out First Casino License To Ocean Downs

Maryland, on Wednesday, became the latest state to authorize casino gambling. The state gave out the first-ever slot machine license and it went to the Ocean Downs racetrack.

Many states have expanded their gambling options in the face of one of the worst recessions in US history. While some of these expansions included full scale casinos, Maryland is learning to walk before they run.

"By our action today, we are showing this (gambling expansion) moving forward," said Donald C. Fry Chairman of the Gaming Commission in Maryland. The issuing of the license removes any doubt that slot gambling will be coming to the state.

The beneficiary of today's license is William M. Rickman. He is the owner of Ocean Downs and he is hoping to have slots up and running by Memorial Day. There still, however, are some hurdles that need to be jumped.

The building permit for the slot room seems like it will be the biggest of those hurdles, but officials in Worcester County do not see that as a major problem. In all likelihood, it will be all systems go for Ocean Downs.

The state has allowed for 15,000 slot machines, but applicants have been slow to ask for a large portion of those available machines. Penn National is asking for a license to place 500 machines in Cecil County and they may expand that request before the state reviews their application.

September 23, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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