Senate considers sweeter deal for Western Maryland slots operator

The Maryland Senate advanced a measure Friday that would sweeten the deal for potential operators of a slots site at Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort in Western Maryland.

The site, one of five authorized by Maryland voters in 2008, drew no qualified bidders in February 2009 and is expected to be rebid at some point in the future.

Under a bill expected to come to a Senate vote on Monday, operators of a casino at the site would be offered 35.5 percent of the proceeds -- compared to the 33 percent available to operators of the state's other four sites.

The higher split would expire after five years -- and it is contingent on the operator buying the ailing state-financed lodge as well.

The bill also includes a couple of other enticements, including allowing slot machines to be placed in the lodge until a casino is constructed.

The bill has not yet been considered by the House of Delegates.

The move comes as Maryland is struggling to get its slots program off the ground. In 2008, voters authorized up to 15,000 machines at five sites.