Update, 5:57 p.m.: Spending in the Maryland gambling fight surged past the $80 million mark Friday as Penn National Gaming poured in $6 million more against the expansion, bringing its total contributions up to $41.5 million. Contributions from MGM Resorts International remain at $33.5 million for expansion.
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Spending in the fight over gambling in Maryland passed the $75 million mark with just half a week left before Election Day.
MGM Resorts International, which likely would operate a planned casino at National Harbor if an expansion of gambling passes, threw another $4 million into the fight, bringing its contributions up to nearly $33.5 million.
Caesars Entertainment, which is set to operate a new Baltimore casino, has added nearly $4.6 million, while the developer of National Harbor, the Peterson Cos., has contributed more than $2 million to support the expansion.
Penn National Gaming had already raised its contributions from $29.1 million to $35.5 million against expansion. Penn operates a casino in West Virginia that draws many Maryland residents, as well as a slots site in Perryville, Md., near the Delaware border.
If approved, the initiative would allow table games, round-the-clock operation and a casino in Prince George's County.
