Thursday, November 29, 2001; Page B01
 
 The approval of a new horse racing track in Western Maryland is the latest sign that slot machines may be coming to Maryland within a few years, according to both proponents and opponents of expanded gambling. The Maryland Racing Commission on Tuesday approved a new thoroughbred track near Cumberland in Allegany County that had been proposed by Montgomery County developer William M. Rickman Jr. Rickman, who owns Ocean Downs Racetrack on the Eastern Shore, also owns Delaware Park in Wilmington, which has slot machines. Rickman has consistently said he is not pushing for slots at his new track in Western Maryland -- but has not opposed legalized gambling, either.
 
 Still, many question the economic viability of the track without slots and note that House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr. (D-Allegany), who has been a strong advocate for Rickman and bringing racing to Western Maryland, is also a proponent of legalizing slot machines. Most political supporters of slots say they should be put at the state's racetracks where gambling is already accepted.
 
 "It's the first step for slots in Western Maryland," said Sen. Thomas L. Bromwell (D-Baltimore County), chairman of the Finance Committee and a supporter of expanded gambling in Maryland. "Would you build a track in Western Maryland without slot machines?" Those who oppose slots had the same view. "I don't think a track is viable without slots," said House Minority Leader Robert H. Kittleman (R-Howard). "Rickman has enough money -- he can wait it out."
 
 Rickman has been enormously successful in Delaware, and his slots revenue has allowed higher purses for the horses racing at his track. That has attracted many Maryland horsemen to move their thoroughbreds there. Proponents of slots at the tracks say the money they'd bring in would rejuvenate Maryland's racing industry.
 
 A track in Western Maryland means there would be geographic balance to putting slots throughout the state because the other tracks are in Baltimore and Laurel.
 
 Expanded gambling has been a dormant issue since the 1998 reelection of Gov. Parris N. Glendening (D), who ran on a slogan of "No slots, no casinos, no exceptions." But he leaves office in January 2003, and many predict a free-for-all over expanded gambling once there's a new governor.
 
 Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination, has said she opposes expanded gambling. Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, who is weighing a run for the Democratic nomination, has said he would accept slots at the state's racetracks. That is also the position of the leading GOP candidate for governor, U.S. Rep. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. In an interview yesterday, Rickman said he has heard the talk of his desire for slots and said, "I think there's a lot of assumptions going on.
 
 "I am not seeking slots. We're not taking a position on slots." Some residents of Western Maryland fear that slots are next and have organized to oppose Rickman's track.
 
 "The slot machines are a great concern," said Bill Valentine, who lives near the proposed track site and has helped organize local opposition. "A racetrack in Western Maryland makes no sense." Leading lawmakers in Annapolis are laying the groundwork for consideration of expanded gambling. Taylor and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Prince George's) have formed committees to study gaming. Taylor favors the approach of House Appropriations Committee Chairman Howard P. Rawlings (D-Baltimore), who plans to introduce a constitutional amendment during the General Assembly session that begins Jan. 9. If approved, it would put the question of legalizing slots to voters in the November 2002 election.
 
 Those legislators don't expect approval of any legalized gambling next year, but they are positioning the issue for the 2003 General Assembly session, the first for the next gubernatorial administration. They argue that slot machines in Delaware and West Virginia are luring Marylanders out of state. They say the money should stay in Maryland and is needed for state services and education, especially now that tax revenue has slowed.
 
 "We would be crazy not to go with slots," Bromwell said. Opponents of slots worry it could lead to full-fledged casinos, which Bromwell said would be fine with him.
 
 "It would start off with slots" at the tracks, he said. Then, it could be expanded. "What's the difference between casinos with horses racing around them, or casinos with square tables" and other gambling? Bromwell said.
 
 
 © 2001 The Washington Post Company