Kathy Klausmeier, a state senator in Maryland, doesn’t fool around wasting time.

Two days after the new legislative session there got underway, the Baltimore Messenger reported she introduced legislation that would “legalize Atlantic City/Las Vegas style table games such as blackjack, poker and roulette at Maryland casinos.”

Ms. Klausmeier, a Baltimore County Democrat, told the paper she was motivated by a desire to overcome Maryland’s competitive disadvantage compared to neighbouring states.

“When people go to any of the surrounding states, there are a whole lot of people playing card games. We really need to beef up ours. If we don’t, we are missing that group.”

Donald C. Fry, chairman of the Greater Baltimore Committee, told the Baltimore Business Journal his group did not suggest legalization of table games in its role of oversight of slots because that was a policy issue for the legislature to decide.

He said when his group drew up the rules, their projections of $1.6 million in annual revenue from slots was based on the assumption that Delaware and Pennsylvania would not legalize table games. A big mistake. Both did.

(Harness Tracks of America)