With lots of news in Maryland’s slots and horse racing industries this week, stories from The Daily Record’s government reporter Nicholas Sohr dominated our staff business content. The Daily Record also made news as our publisher, Chris Eddings, was promoted within the Dolan Company and our associate publisher, Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, was selected to take his place.

1. Racing panel rejects Maryland Jockey Club plan by Nicholas Sohr

The state rejected on Monday a “stop-gap” plan for Maryland thoroughbred racing that featured a drastically reduced racing schedule, a decision that fractures the ownership of Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park and injects more uncertainty into the future of the industry.

The corporate parents of the Maryland Jockey Club were expected to present a comprehensive business plan as the final step in gaining Maryland Racing Commission approval of the partnership. But, commissioners said what the club offered lacked details and members of the horse industry called for them to vote it down.

2. Fischer-Huettner named Daily Record publisher by Daily Record Staff

Suzanne Fischer-Huettner has been named publisher of The Daily Record.

A 37-year-old Maryland native who has been the newspaper’s associate publisher and vice president, Fischer-Huettner is the first woman publisher in the company’s 122-year history.

The announcement was made Thursday night at The Daily Record’s Leading Women event, which recognizes the achievements of Maryland women under 40, by Christopher A. Eddings, who is stepping down as publisher.

3. $12.4M spent on Anne Arundel slots referendum by Nicholas Sohr

The high-stakes battle over the right to build a casino in Anne Arundel County cost $12.4 million, according to a report published Wednesday by the state.

The Maryland Jockey Club spent $7.5 million on its failed referendum campaign to derail development of a casino at the Arundel Mills shopping mall. Subsidiaries of The Cordish Cos. — the casino’s developer — and the mall owners spent $4.9 million.

4. Eddings named publishing director for Dolan by Daily Record Staff

Christopher A. Eddings, publisher and president of The Daily Record, has been named director of publishing operations for The Dolan Company, owner of The Daily Record.

In his new role, Eddings will oversee the company’s business and legal newspaper and electronic publishing platforms throughout the country. He will continue to be headquartered in Baltimore with The Daily Record.

5. Racing plan for Laurel Park, Pimlico stuck at the starting gate by Nicholas Sohr

With Maryland thoroughbred racing and the Preakness Stakes in jeopardy, Penn National Gaming Inc. said Tuesday it will continue to work with its corporate partner to develop a plan for Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course in 2011.

Penn National and MI Developments Inc. were dealt a setback Monday evening when the Maryland Racing Commission threw out their plan to slash live racing, opting to send the companies back to the drawing board rather than settle for an option the state’s horsemen said would spell doom for the industry.

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Dubble Bubble Gum and scratch-and-sniff books. If you’re thinking about childhood nostalgia items, you’re on the right track — sort of.

In a new promotional campaign launched this week, Maryland State Lottery is introducing the nation’s first scratch-and-sniff lotto tickets, called “Dubble Bubble Doubler.” Television ads will air in the next few days, and the lotto plans to promote the new game at Oriole Park on Opening Day, Mar. 31.

The bubble gum company’s “Pud” character (pictured in the ad) will meet and greet game attendees, and souvenirs such as Dubble Bubble Doubler t-shirts, gum and scented pencils will be given away. The lottery will also hold a bubble blowing contest at a booth.

A mid-summer lottery promotion of the new game is also planned at Oriole Park.

Buddy Roogow, director of the state lottery, said today the advertising was not meant to attract children.

“What we’re trying to do is bring the nostalgia back to adult players,” he said. “We made sure that the [television] advertising is not with kids, it has adult themes, and all the commercials will have adults in them.”

But Doug Steigler, director of the Association of Maryland Families, a non-profit Christian organization, said that the partnership with the baseball team shows “they are definitely going after children” with the nostalgia campaign.

“[The state] went from a lottery at one game per week which was supposed to solve the education [funding] problem — and you can see the results of that — to now selling scratch-offs to kids,” he said.

What do you think? Is the new game and advertising too enticing for kids, or does it just remind you of the good old days?

LIZ FARMER, Business Writer

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