If Question 7 is approved, MGM Grand will build a Las Vegas style casino at the National Harbor. This property will not only have a casino, but it will also be a destination for entertainment and gourmet food. The construction of the complex will provide many needed construction jobs in Maryland and the casino, restaurants, hotel, and theaters will bring countless jobs to the area for years.

Penn National Gaming, Inc. has spent $18 million to influence the voters to vote NO for question Seven. There have been countless advertisements on television. They have a Facebook page and a web site to convince the Maryland voters how horrible this casino would be for Maryland. Their argument against the casino includes there is no guarantee that the money promised for school funding would increase, and that there is no guarantee Maryland residents would get the jobs at the casino, either for the construction, or the operations.

The fact is Penn National, Inc., are the owners of many casinos and racetracks in the USA, including the Hollywood Casino in Perryvile, MD, the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, WV, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, PA and Rosecroft Raceway, MD. The Rosecroft Raceway does not have slots, but it is slated to get some. The fact that it is less than 3 miles from the National Harbor is worrisome to Penn National as it would affect the profitability of the already cash strapped race track.

Penn National is single handedly funding this fight, not because they care about Maryland – the money won’t go to Maryland schools, and Prince Georges businesses and workers won’t be employed to build the casino – no, the reason is they just do not want the competition. They have spent millions of dollars so far to get you to vote no, so they can protect their potential profits. Let’s keep our money here, in Maryland, and stop giving it to Delaware, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Vote YES on Question 7.

Susan Beckwell

Bowie, MD