Delaware officials explore possibility of adding more slot locations

House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst acknowledged precursory discussions over satellite casino locations had resumed in Dover, but she would not discuss specific details. Longhurst is a member of the state panel studying ways to offer financial aid to casinos.

"I think there is a flavor for alternatives," Longhurst said. "I don't want it to act like it is a big, full, blown-out casino." Top officials in Gov. Jack Markell's administration floated a similar plan last year. The plan would have allowed companies with existing casino licenses to tap into their unused allowance of slot machines to open the parlors. Each casino can have a maximum of 4,000 machines.

Casino executives balked, though, saying it would ultimately result in them losing even more money.

Denis McGlynn, chief executive of Dover Downs, said the renewed talks over satellite locations made no sense.

"It's opposition by proposition," McGlynn said.

The renewed discussions come as a state panel studies ways to offer financial aid to the casinos. Last year lawmakers approved a $9.9 million package during the last day of the legislative session. The Lottery and Gaming Study Commission has already missed this year's self-imposed deadline to pass recommendations onto lawmakers, but is hoping to wrap up work Thursday morning.

Among the options that could be considered by panel members are a cut to the state's share of table game revenue and credits for marketing and capital expenses.

"There's not a big appetite for this General Assembly to do something for a third year in a row," Longhurst said. "I think you need to look very carefully at what, if anything  we do … to sit here and say that we're going to go back and give them $12 million, I'm just not prepared to do that."