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“It’s embarrassing what happened here in Annapolis,” he said.
Del. Andrew A. Serafini, R-Washington, also voted against the gaming-expansion bill, calling it a “rush to judgment” that easily could have waited a year or two.
“We don’t have the original five (casinos) built yet and we’re adding a sixth,” he said.
Since there’s only so much discretionary income from which casinos can draw, he said, a new casino is likely to steal customers from the ones already approved.
“It’s going to be cannibalism,” he said.
Serafini was less opposed to the legalization of table games.
He said he struggles with the idea that the state is trying to fix its fiscal problems with gambling. But, since slots already have been approved, it would be foolish for the state to not include table games as part of the mix, he said.
In a voice-mail message, Del. John P. Donoghue, D-Washington, who voted for the bill, said: “This was all about infrastructure and jobs, both of which we very greatly need in Washington County.”
How they voted
Here’s how local lawmakers voted on a bill to add a sixth casino site in Maryland and to allow table games:
Del. John P. Donoghue (D) — Yes
Del. Michael J. Hough (R) — No
Del. LeRoy E. Myers Jr. (R) — Yes
Del. Neil C. Parrott (R) — No
Del. Andrew A. Serafini (R) — No
Sen. George C. Edwards (R) — Yes
Sen. Christopher B. Shank (R) — Yes
Sen.Ronald N. Young (D) — Yes