Baltimore Accepting Bids For Possible Casino

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The city of Baltimore is ready to move forward on bids for a slots casino in South Baltimore. 

Political reporter Pat Warren explains the city and the Slots Commission are trying to sweeten the pie.

Seventeen acres of real estate on Russell Street in Baltimore is a potential gold mine for the city.  Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is ready to start digging.

"I'm glad we're able to approve it on the agenda today," she said.

"It" is the proposed Baltimore slots casino, and does she have a deal for you.  Failure to attract an acceptable bid has led leaders to agree to lower the rent in exchange for the anticipated windfall.  The casinos in Perryville and Ocean Downs generated a combined $13 million in March, with the lion's share going to state and local government.  That kind of revenue in Baltimore has its benefits.

"One, it's going to help our property tax and that's going to help us keep residents in Baltimore," Rawlings-Blake said.  "It's going to create jobs."

The opening of the Hollywood Casino in Perryville showed slots are a draw in Maryland.  Baltimore wants its share.

"I lost a little bit, but I had a good time," said one.

That's the attitude the city hopes to cash in on.

There's a potential sticking point in the plan.  The Baltimore Entertainment Group, whose bid for Baltimore was rejected by the Slots Commission, has requested a restraining order to prevent consideration of any other proposals while it appeals the commission's decision.

If the commission moves forward, new bidders would submit proposals by the end of July.