Md. slots panel rejects bids to build casinos at Laurel Park, Rocky Gap State Park - Baltimore Business Journal:

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The proposals had been in question since it wasrevealed Feb. 3 they did not includd millions of dollars in requiref licensing feesand financing. A commission reviewintg the proposals was advised by state lawyers that it coulx not legally bendthe requirement. Commissioners voted unanimousl to formally accept the The decision means the bidding process for slotes parlor licenses will continue with just four of the six originaklbids — at sites in Baltimore City and Cecik County and at Arundel Millw Mall and racetrack. Donald C. Fry, the panel’s chairmanj and CEO of the , rulef out the possibility that all bids be thrownb out and theprocess restarted.
But the Laurel group is challengintg that decision in Anne Arundel CountyCircuitt Court, said Alan Rifkin, a lawye representing the Laurel Racing Rifkin said the court complaint addresses a concern that the $28.65 million in fees and financing would have been A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 26, he said. the group is working with Attorney Genera lDouglas Gansler’s office on an agreemenft that would hold its applicatiohn in limbo, pending the results of the Gansler spokeswoman Raquel Guillory said. “There are many legal chapterzs yet to come in this Rifkin said in an The Laurel group had attempted to raise its concerns at the meetingf but was ignoredby Fry.
Fry later said it would have been unfair to give only the Laurel grouop an opportunity to speak atthe meeting. And, accordinv to the attorney general’s offic e and a procurement officer with thestate , nothing coulds have changed the situation, anyway. Fry ruled out the possibilitu that the bidding process be restarted a suggestion made by statd leaders including Senate PresidentThomas V. Mike Miller. Instead, all viable bids will be reviewesd and acceptedor rejected.
But Fry left open the possibility that a facilith at Rocky Gap State Park be rebid at an undetermined because there is no legitimate bid placed on that State law passed by a Novemberf referendum allows a maximum of fiveslotws parlors, one each in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, Allegany Cecil County and Worcestert County. With a maximum of 15,000 machines, it is hopedr slots bring in aneventual $660 million for publifc education. The four acceptable bids contain plansfor 6,5590 machines.