Michelle Basch, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – There is renewed talk of bringing slot machines to Prince George’s County as the Maryland General Assembly gets ready to start another session next week, and County Executive Rushern Baker says he is “open to the discussion.”

Baker says he’s examining whether the benefits of slots will outweigh the costs.

“If it makes sense, then it’s something I will support,” he says.

A gaming company’s proposal to bring a slots parlor to Rosecroft Raceway has hit opposition. Asked if he supports a slots plan for Rosecroft, Baker says he has not endorsed any locations because he wants to decide first if slots would be right for Prince George’s.

In addition, Baker is concerned that Maryland is losing money to states like Delaware that offer table games like blackjack and poker, which are banned in Maryland.

“We’re going to be looking for those revenues to come back to help us build schools, (and) to expand our health care facilities,” Baker says.

The possibility of allowing table games in Maryland has been discussed in Annapolis before, and will likely come up again.

Baker also is looking at things like boosting the state gas tax and a new county bag tax to generate revenue.

So far, two slots parlors have opened in Maryland, one near Ocean City and another in Perryville. A third is scheduled to open in June at Arundel Mills Mall.

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