ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) – The Maryland General Assembly has passed a measure to allow a new casino in Prince George’s County as well as table games such as poker and roulette at gambling complexes.
After the House of Delegates passed the bill 71-58 late Tuesday night, the Senate concurred early Wednesday by a vote of 32-14. The vote send the measure to Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley. Voters would need to approve any gambling expansion in November.
The Democratic governor called the special session on gambling to raise tax revenue and create jobs, and hopefully put a contentious issue behind lawmakers.
A key part of the bill would lower the state’s tax rate at two casino sites, partly to offset added competition from a future casino in Prince George’s County, near Washington and northern Virginia.
Maryland’s 67 percent tax rate is unusually high.
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