Baker continues late-hour push for Prince George's casino Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker III said Friday morning that he remains hopeful that state lawmakers will pass a bill authorizing a casino at National Harbor before they adjourn Monday. Rushern Baker (The Washington Post) Speaking to reporters in Annapolis, Baker (D) said he is willing to entertain several possible compromises, including the "phasing in" of slot machines at a Prince George's venue over a few years or reducing the number of authorized machines. The bill calls for 4,750. "I think there are ways to make this work where everyone's a winner," Baker said. What we have to do is look at options. A gambling bill passed the Senate last month that would authorize a sixth Maryland casino in Prince George's and allow Las Vegas-style table games there and at the state's five other slots venues. House leaders have said that the bill is too generous to casino operators but have said little publicly about changes they might consider to the legislation. The owner of the state's largest planned casino, scheduled to open in June at Arundel Mills mall, remains staunchly opposed to the bill, which it says would hurt their business. To compensate existing casino owners for the additional competition, the Senate bill would increase the share of slots proceeds owners may keep and allow them to retain 90 percent of table games proceeds. On Thursday night, Del. Frank S. Turner (D-Howard), who chairs a House subcommittee with jurisdiction over gaming issues, said of the Senate bill: "If we can't fix it, we'll kill it." "It deserves at least an honest effort by our House," Turner added. Baker said he has met in recent days with many legislators, including House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel). Baker said he presented Busch with letters of support for a Prince George's casino signed by a majority of state lawmakers from the county and a majority of Prince George's County Council members. Baker said he also stressed the $69 million a year in gaming and other tax revenue that a casino would generate for the county, according to county estimates. "Clearly, I wouldn't have spent the entire week down here if I didn't think this is important," Baker said.