ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Laurel Racing Association will appeal a court ruling that upheld a state commission's decision to reject the group's slot machine bid, an attorney for Laurel Racing said.
Alan Rifkin contends it is unconstitutional for the state to demand an upfront licensing fee because it is not able to guarantee the money could be refunded. Rifkin has been seeking to delay the state's slot machine licensing process in an effort to have Laurel Racing's bid considered again.
But Anne Arundel County Circuit Judge William Mulford II on Wednesday denied Rifkin's request for intervention, arguing that the commission's decision is constitutional and lawful.
Laurel Racing's bid for a slot machine license in Anne Arundel County was rejected because it did not include the $28.5 million fee for its proposal to put 4,750 slot machines at the Laurel Park horse racing track.
