BEL AIR, Md. (AP) — Harford County Executive David Craig has asked a state panel to consider the county as a casino site.

The Baltimore Sun reports that Craig sent a letter to the chairman of a state work group studying gambling expansion to ask that the panel consider the idea.

Craig says a casino could raise tens of millions of dollars for the state. He also says it would help the county pay for a share of teacher pension costs between the state and the county.

Craig, a Republican, says he supports letting Harford County voters to decide whether they want a casino in the county.

Critics, including three Republican senators who represent portions of the county, say a casino there would be too close to one in Perryville.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)