8-10-12: Will the House Put Its Cards on the Table?

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Yesterday, the Maryland General Assembly convened for a special session to take up legislation about gambling. Similar legislation died in the House at the end of the regular session in April.

On Tuesday, Governor O’Malley released a bill that would bring table games like blackjack to Maryland casinos by early next year. Casinos would keep 80 percent of table game revenue.

The bill also allows a casino with 3,000 slot machines to open in 2016 in Prince George’s County. Most casinos currently keep 33 percent of slots revenue; this bill would allow them to keep more in some cases, and it has a provision that claims to ensure they won’t lose revenue because of new competition from Prince George’s.

The General Assembly convenes again today, where the bill is on the Senate floor after an 11 to one vote by the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.

Sheilah checks in live with WYPR state house reporter Joel McCord and Baltimore Sun reporter Annie Linskey.

The General Assembly website has posted a fiscal note and analysis of the legislation.

The Baltimore Sun has written up the "5 People to Watch in Annapolis" during the session.