Deal Reached Between Jockey Club & Residents On Timonium OTB

In Annapolis today, an agreement was reached between the Maryland Jockey Club, the Maryland State Fairgrounds and Agriculture Society and the Greater Timonium Council that eliminates the possibility of a casino ever being built at the fairgrounds.

The controversy emerged last month after the Maryland Jockey Club received permission from the state racing commission to operate a year-round off-track betting facility at the fairgrounds, and some residents feared that the Maryland Jockey Club was going to seek a license to operate a casino at the facility.

Baltimore County Republican Delegates Chris West and Susan Aumann, and Democratic Delegates Dan Morhaim, Dana Stein and Shelly Hettleman announced the deal at a news conference in Annapolis Friday afternoon.

West told WBAL NewsRadio 1090 that under the deal the Maryland Jockey Club, the Fairgrounds, or any future owners agree not to seek a casino license, and in exchange the Greater Timonium Council ends its opposition to the project.

West said he would withdraw legislation that would force both sides to reach an agreement, and would bar an OTB parlor at the fairgrounds, except during the ten days of the Maryland State Fair, when there is also live horse racing.

West said this is, "a legally binding signed agreement."

Maryland Jockey Club General Manager Sal Sinatra told WBAL NewsRadio 1090 that he is glad a deal has been reached.

Sinatra said that the Maryland Jockey Club never intended to apply for a casino license, which would have had to be approved by voters.

Sinatra said that he was delighted that a deal was reached adding that the Jockey Club wants to show that the facility will be, "an asset not a liability."

Sinatra said that he understood residents were concerned, and "they just wanted assurances in writing."

Sinatra said that the parlor will be open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., early in the week, and maybe until 10 p.m. later in the week and on weekends.

Sinatra says he hopes the facility can open within a matter of weeks, adding that he is ready to open it.

The proceeds from the betting will be split between the Maryland Jockey Club, the state's horsemen, and the Fairgrounds.

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz welcomed the deal.

“I am very pleased the Maryland State Fair has reached an agreement with the Timonium Community Council to resolve the debate over offtrack betting," Kamenetz said.

"The community was very reasonable and worked very hard to reach a compromise. I commend the members of the County’s legislative delegation who helped bring the two sides together. It is refreshing in this day and age to see everyone work together to solve a problem.”