In Delaware, governor and gaming industry clash over betting bill
After several public hearings and Delaware’s racinos fighting Governor Markell’s sports betting proposal, a compromise bill is heading to the house.
After several public hearings and Delaware’s racinos fighting Governor Markell’s sports betting proposal, a compromise bill is heading to the house.
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[audio: reports20090408sports.mp3]
According to officials from the state’s three existing casinos, the bill that was supposed to bring the administration and the gaming industry closer together has had the opposite effect.
Denis McGlyn of Dover Downs.
McGlyn: It immediately puts Harrington out of business, puts Dover close to being out of business and puts all three tracks out of business when Maryland comes on line.
And there were other questions and concerns. What would be the impact to the horse racing industry? Exactly how much revenue would sports betting generate for the state? And why are is there such a rush? According to the bill’s sponsor, it’s a 750 million dollar budget gap.
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