Members of a Maryland commission signaled Thursday that they are ready to award a license to operate the state's largest slot-machine gambling casino at Arundel Mills mall, citing the hundreds of millions of dollars a year it is projected to generate for the state.

The 4,750-machine facility, proposed by Cordish Cos., still must win zoning approval from the Anne Arundel County Council, which has been divided over the issue for months, before operations could begin.

A motion to award a license was tabled by the state commission Thursday after several members spoke strongly in favor of it. Commission Chairman Donald C. Fry attributed the delay to the absence of two of the seven members and said a vote would be scheduled soon.

With the state straining to get its slots program aloft, a new report provides a timely reminder of how much money gaming interests spent trying to influence gambling-related ballot measures last year in Maryland and eight other states.

The report, by the National Institute on Money in State Politics, includes a section on Maryland, where pro-gambling forces outspent anti-gambling groups about 7 to 1. The ballot measure, approved by close to 59 percent of voters, authorized slot machine casinos at five locations around the state.

Of the nearly $8.2 million raised for the campaign, about $7.1 million was contributed by gambling companies, horse-racing interests and other pro-gaming interests. That 7-to-1 ratio fell in the middle of the spectrum among the five states that passed measures expanding gambling. Gambling proponents outraised opponents 2-to-1 in California and 1,734-to-1 in Colorado, the study said.

Ironically, the largest contributor in Maryland, as noted in the report, was Laurel Racing Association, which gave $3 million. The company's bid to put slots at Laurel Park racetrack in Anne Arundel County was disqualified in February because it was not accompanied by a hefty upfront licensing fee.

The full report is available here.

With the fate of Maryland's two largest proposed slot-machine casinos up in the air, leaders of the host jurisdictions expressed confidence during a radio show Tuesday that plans will move forward.

"I still remain cautiously optimistic that there will be four members of the council who act in the best interests of the county and state," Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold (R) said on WYPR's "Midday with Dan Rodricks."

Leopold was referring to the number of county council members needed to secure majority support for zoning approval of a 4,750-machine casino proposed at Arundel Mills mall by Cordish Cos.

The deeply divided seven-member council is set to consider the zoning bill on Dec. 7, along with another bill that would allow slots at locations other than the mall. Neighbors of the mall continue to express concerns about traffic and crime. Leopold insisted that separate bills will address those concerns.

Baltimore officials have already approved zoning needed for a 3,750-machine venue proposed just south of the football stadium where the NFL's Ravens play. The issue there is whether a group of investors, known as the Baltimore City Entertainment Group, will pony up a long-promised $19.5 million licensing fee to the state that is needed for the project to move ahead.

"I expect that to happen in the next couple of weeks," said Baltimore Deputy Mayor Andrew Frank, who has been in close contact with members of the group.

Frank suggested a factor in the delay was protracted negotiations with Baltimore officials over the use of the city-owned property on which the casino will sit.

A state commission that is awarding slots licences has expressed frustration with the pace of both the Anne Arundel and Baltimore bids.

When given a chance, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley hardly offered a ringing endorsement Wednesday night of a stalled plan to put slot machines at Arundel Mills mall.

O'Malley (D), appearing on Maryland Public Television, said the state "will be fine" regardless of how the Anne Arundel County Council resolves a zoning dispute that is holding up a 4,750-machine casino proposed by Baltimore-based Cordish Cos. And O'Malley restated his long-held preference that slots be located at racetracks -- an option in this case only if the Cordish bid fails.

"Whichever way they decide at this point in the process will be fine," O'Malley said of the Anne Arundel Council, which is scheduled to consider the matter Dec. 7. "We can move forward either way. But the important thing is that they make a decision. I'm still of the belief that the closer we have them located to tracks, the better."

O'Malley's comments came just hours after a state commission evaluating slots proposals warned that the Arundel Mills bid is in jeopardy if zoning is not secured soon. Under state law, proposed casinos must comply with local zoning rules to be licensed by the state.

Cordish was the only qualified bidder in February for the Anne Arundel license, one of five authorized by voters in last year's election. A bid by the owners of Laurel Park racetrack was thrown out because it did not include a required $28.5 million licensing fee.

That track is now expected to be auctioned off early next year as part of bankruptcy proceedings that could draw multiple suitors. Cordish has indicated an interest in buying the track but insisted the mall is the only location the company wants to put slots.

The zoning issue has paralyzed the Anne Arundel council for months. On Dec. 7, it will consider two bills, one that would allow slots at the mall and another that would allow slots at several other locations, including the race track.

The complete MPT interview of O'Malley can be seen be clicking here.

Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold (R) spoke out forcefully Tuesday afternoon against a proposed county zoning bill that would not permit slots at Arundel Mills mall, saying the legislation amounts to a costly "prohibition" on expanded gambling.

The legislation, sponsored by Chairwoman Cathleen M. Vitale (R-Severna Park), was one of two dueling zoning bills introduced Monday night by council members. Vitale's bill would allow slots at certain sites south of Route 32. The mall is located to its north.

The other new bill, which Leopold supports, includes the mall as an acceptable location for a slots casino. A proposal by Baltmore-based Cordish Cos. to put slots at the mall is the only qualified bid pending before a state commission charged with issuing slots licenses. The Arundel Mills site would be the state's largest casino, with 4,750 machines.

"Given the fact that there is only one bid ... her bill amounts to a prohibition on slots in Anne Arundel County, which contravenes the wishes of voters in the referendum," Leopold said, referring to a statewide ballot measure last year that authorized five slots sites in Maryland.

Leopold said passage of Vitale's bill would cost the county about $30 million in "much-needed" slots proceeds it would receive as the host county of a casino.

Asked if he would veto Vitale's bill if it reaches his desk, Leopold said: "I don't think it's going to reach me."