In the middle of the 20th century, casinos were a happening thing in Charles County. 301 was Maryland’s version of The Strip and some called Waldorf the Las Vegas of the east. Both sides of 301 had casinos, from places like the Stardust to the Wigwam. That was until gambling was outlawed in the mid-1960s.
In 2008, the voters legalized gambling again in Maryland and Charles County might be in line for a casino to be placed at Riverboat on the Potomac in Colonial Beach, Virginia. However, due to where state boundaries are located, most of Riverboat on the Potomac actually sits in Charles County. Maryland law requires authorization from the legislature before the casino can begin operations.
Maryland State Senator Roy Dyson (D: 29th district – Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s) has said he would support the bill, once introduced in the Senate, if it is sent to referendum. The bill (HB1478), which is sponsored by Delegates Sally Jameson (D: 28th district – Charles), C.T. Wilson (D: 28th – Charles) and John Wood (D: District 29A – Charles and St. Mary’s), was introduced on March 19th and is waiting to pass the House Ways and Means Committee.
“This is admittedly an interesting proposal,” Charles County Commissioner Ken Robinson (D: 1st), who represents the district Riverboat on the Potomac technically sits in, said in a statement. “It would let Maryland and Charles County reap the tax benefits without any of the perceived problems that accompany slot operations. On the other hand, Charles County will not share any additional economic development and tourism opportunities that may be created by this slot parlor. I would like to explore gaming at the Aqualand site on the Charles County side of the Potomac River at the Harry Nice Bridge. I would like to see all the proceeds stay local and help pay for replacing the 60+ year old inadequate bridge.
“I will wait to see if this makes it out of the legislature and on to the ballot before deciding if I support this or not. I see a lot of hurdles ahead, not the least of which is how this will impact the proposed casino in Prince George’s County. At a time when we have established a close working relationship with the Prince George’s County Council on transportation and other regional priorities, I would not want it to be perceived that Charles County is jumping in at the last minute to compete with their plans.”
State Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton’s (D: 28th – Charles) office told TheBayNet on Monday that they were not aware of the language of the bill since it had not been introduced on the Senate side, but said they would get back to us as soon as they had a chance to look at the language. Delegate Peter Murphy’s (D: 28th – Charles) office was also unable to comment.
A hearing has been schedule in the House Ways and Means Committee for April 3rd at 1pm. It has already cleared the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee. If approved by the legislature this year, it would go to a statewide referendum in the 2012 general election.
The casino can handle 1,200 slots after improvements and would bring $46.5 million in revenue a year to the State of Maryland and $5 million a year to the Charles County Government, according to a study conducted by the Innovation Group.
““Having Maryland slots in Colonial Beach is just the catalyst we need to jump start our revitalization plan, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect,” Colonial Beach Mayor Fred Rummage said in a press release issued by Alexander and Cleaver PA last week.
The proposal comes as Colonial Beach seeks to continue implementation of the Colonial Beach Business District Revitalization Plan which was passed by the Colonial Beach Town Council on February 16, 2012.
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