March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 46 F

Leopold Signs Slots Bill

Row of slot machines inside Las Vegas airport.
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Slots To Come To Arundel Mills

This morning, County Executive John R. Leopold signed bill 82-09 permitting slot machines on a parcel adjacent to the Arundel Mills Mall.  He vetoed bill 81-09 which was also approved by the Council last night which would have precluded the Mills site from consideration.

“The Office of Law has advised me that passing these two contradictory bills is not good law because one bill expressly prohibits a use the other permits,” County Executive Leopold said.  “The voters of Maryland and Anne Arundel County approved slots as a revenue source last year, and the bill I am signing follows the instructions set forth in the Maryland Constitution.”

In a referendum last year, voters approved slot machines to generate revenue for public education by a margin of 60 percent to 40 percent.  This legislation is expected to generate nearly $30 million annually for Anne Arundel County and about $450 million for the State.

The County currently faces a $93 million shortfall for the FY2011 budget.

“I made a commitment not to increase property or income taxes, and this important action helps me keep that commitment,” County Executive Leopold said.  “This legislation also will help maintain our AAA bond rating and strengthen the long-term fiscal health of the County.”

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