ANNAPOLIS - Maryland state senators gave preliminary approval of Gov. Martin O'Malley's plan to expand gambling on Friday afternoon, and will be called back to the Senate floor at 6 p.m. for a final vote on the bill.
The bill would place measures to allow a sixth state casino for Prince George's County and table games on ballots in November.
Lawmakers debated more than two dozen amendments to the bill late into the afternoon, though only a handful passed the chamber's vote.
The Department of Legislative Services needs a few hours to prepare and print the latest version of the bill before the Senate can cast its final vote, according to Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., D-Calvert and Prince George's.
The Senate is also expected to vote on a bill that addresses liability issues related to a court ruling on pit bulls, which declared the dogs an "inherently dangerous" animal.