The Maryland Jockey Club plans to offer off-track betting at the Timonium Fairgrounds, angering some local officials and nearby neighborhoods. The club also wants to allow expanded liquor sales at the Fairgrounds.
“We were all shocked and surprised that there was no consideration to the surrounding neighborhoods or the businesses along York Road,” Del. Susan Aumann said in a statement. “I was incredulous when I learned that 100 monitors had already been installed and there was an opening date to take place January the 29th. … On another note; the Fairgrounds is attempting to change the type of liquor license the Fair currently has (license fee of $25.00 a day ) to a type of license that would allow year round liquor sales to the patrons of the new Off Track Betting arena. The legislators are not aware if the surrounding restaurants have been allowed to give input on the impact.”
Sen. Jim Brochin told Pamela Wood of The Baltimore Sun that broadcasting races from other facilities and allowing bets to be taken at the Fairgrounds would increase traffic problems along York Road and he said the area didn’t want to see expanded gambling.
A public-input meeting had been scheduled for today (one week before the OTB was supposed to start) but it was postponed because of the forecasted storm. No new date has been set.