Baltimore Council approves bill banning casinos at fairgrounds

The bill's passage follows months of sometimes heated negotiations on the OTB facility's operation, and discussion on whether or not it could pave the way for other types of gambling at the fairgrounds in Timonium. The negotiations included Kach and other local elected officials, state fair officials, those of the Maryland Jockey Club, who operate the simulcast facility, and members of the surrounding community, who opposed the facility when it was proposed in January.

Last week officials from the Maryland Jockey Club and community members signed a separate agreement that limits the hours during which the off-track facility can operate to 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, according to Greater Timonium Community Council President Eric Rockwell, who was part of the negotiations.

As part of the agreement, a citizens advisory committee to the facility will be created, Rockwell said.

"This has been quite a process," Kach said at the April 4 County Council meeting at which the bill was passed. He added that he believes that representatives of all sides should be pleased with the result.

After the meeting April 4, Andy Cashman, the general manager of the Maryland State Fair, said he was pleased with the decision.

"Everybody should be happy," he added.

In January, community members said they were surprised to learn that the jockey club, in conjunction with the fairgrounds, was planning to open a facility at the fairgrounds in which patrons could bet remotely on horse races around the country. Residents said they were concerned that the facility could negatively affect the character of the neighborhood and that the betting facility could lead to a casino.

Kach attributed part of that distrust to the way in which jockey club officials handled the decision to open the facility. The community wasn't aware of the proposal until it was well underway, he said.

Officials of the jockey club argued that the facility would help to keep Maryland's horse breeding and racing industry financially viable.

In February Kach, a Republican from District 3, whose district includes the fairgrounds, introduced a bill that would have prevented the off-track betting facility. In addition, Del. Chris West, a Republican who represents Northern Baltimore County, introduced a bill in the General Assembly that would have blocked the facility.

As the discussions between the parties progressed, those bills were withdrawn. One of the largest sticking points in the discussions was the concern from the community that the off-track betting facility would open the door to a casino in Timonium.

"The Maryland State Fair promises to not seek casinos in the future. Period," Kach said after a County Council work session on the bill March 29. "It's forever."

At the work session, Rockwell admitted that the process had been difficult, and thanked Kach for helping to facilitate the discussion.

"He forced both sides to continue talking through this process," Rockwell said. "Even though it was messy, and at some points ugly, the fact that we could keep talking was certainly a benefit."