Table games could be OK’d by legislative committee on Friday

The last hurdle on the way to implementation of table games at Maryland casinos may be cleared by a General Assembly committee on Friday.

Sen. Paul G. Pinsky, the Senate chairman of the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, said members of the panel will review and likely approve regulations that would govern black jack, poker, roulette and the like at Maryland’s commercial casinos.

The Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission approved the regulations over two meetings held in December and January. Pinsky, a Prince George’s County Democrat, said the committee was rushing to vote on the regulations within the next 24 hours because Hollywood Casino Perryville in Cecil County wants to start operating table games next week.

Pinsky said members of the committee might vote electronically and then announce their decision during Senate proceedings on Friday. House Chairman Samuel I. “Sandy” Rosenberg, D-Baltimore, also must have his half of the review panel vote on the regulations.