Controversy Continues Over Off-Track Betting At Timonium Fairgrounds

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--The battle over a high stakes plan to bring off-track betting to the Timonium Fairgrounds continues.

Neighbors say they're concerned the new facility could open the door to more gambling at the facility.

Meghan McCorkell has more on the controversy.

Construction is still underway, but soon a room at the Maryland fairgrounds could look more like an off track betting parlor.

An off-track betting parlor has been approved for this location which would allow customers to bet on live simulcast horse races around the world.

Neighbors say they don't want  it to turn into a casino.

"Disaster.The only thing worse I could think of is a prison," said Shawn Blair, with the Stratford Community Association.

Shawn Blair fears off track betting could be the first step in expanded gambling here.

"They need to understand that this is a neighborhood and there are homes directly adjacent to the fairgrounds," he says.

Back in 2003, community members fought back against a plan to put slot machines here at the fairgrounds, that plan was defeated.

Fairground officials told WJZ last month they want to work with neighbors.

"We're not trying to hurt the community at all. We've been here a long time, they have too. We want to be good neighbors," said Andy Cashman, with the Maryland State Fair.

Off track betting facilities are already operating at Pimlico and in the Horseshoe Casino, where officials estimate $12 million in revenue in just the first year.

The fairgrounds facility would be much smaller.

"They're projecting anywhere from $500-thousand to $600-thousand a year," said Cashman.

Community members say they're willing to come to the table to reach a compromise.

Both county and state legislators have submitted legislation to try and block the off-track betting facility.