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As reported by Gambling911.com last week, the Washington Redskins have endorsed a plan that would see gambling expansion in the state of Maryland in the form of a new casino Prince George's County. This support comes despite the fact that the National Football League (NFL) expressly condemns any form of gambling promotion associated with the league.
“As members of the Prince George’s County business community, we see it as our obligation to speak out in support of major economic development initiatives,” said Dennis Greene, president of business operations. “We believe Question 7 represents a tremendous opportunity ... to create thousands of good-paying jobs, increase funding for public schools, and help provide dollars for other critical state and local government services.”
Now comes word that former Redskins players have come out in support of Question 7. Maryland residents will be able to vote on the gambling expansion initiative next month.
Lavar Arrington, the Skins former star linebacker, is now featured in a television ad for the MGM-backed ballot committee supporting Question 7. In the spot, Arrington touts the benefits gambling expansion brings to the local job market.
The irony in all of this is that the National Football League has filed a lawsuit against New Jersey in an effort to prohibit the Garden State from moving forward with planned efforts to begin offering legalized sports betting. New Jersey politicians are saying essentially what Arrington has in the ad spots for Maryland: Gambling helps boost the local economy.
To date, more money has been spent on the Maryland gambling initiative than has been spent on a few of the recent Governor races combined.
- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
