Maryland Governor O'Malley Calls for Special Session in August re Gambling Expansion

By BRIAN WITTE

Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Gov. Martin O'Malley has called for a special session to expand gambling in Maryland to begin in about two weeks.

O'Malley said at a news conference Friday in Annapolis with House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller that the session will begin on Aug 9. O'Malley says expanded gambling will create more revenue and jobs for the state.

Efforts to expand gambling in the regular session collapsed in the final hours in April. A work group that was convened last month to address the issue failed to reach a consensus.

Plans call for allowing table games such as poker at Maryland casinos and a new casino site in Prince George's County.

Voters would ultimately have to approve an expansion of gambling.