Copperfield

The interests that want to see a luxury casino come to the National Harbor have pulled out the big guns ahead of the November 6 referendum in Maryland. The Post reports that famed magician David Copperfield recorded a robo-call urging Maryland residents to vote for the ballot measure that would expand gambling in the state and allow a new casino to be built at the National Harbor:

In the robocall, Copperfield relays that he has worked in “some of the most amazing places in the world,” including the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“This is a destination resort casino, like the one proposed by Question 7 and one that could appear if you approve Question 7,” Copperfield says in a call coordinated by a ballot-issue committee promoting the expansion plan.

MGM Resorts is angling to build a Las Vegas-style casino at National Harbor in Prince George’s County if the ballot measure passes. The proposal would also allow table games, such as black jack and roulette, at the five previously authorized slots sites in Maryland.

Copperfield touts the promise of proponents that the ballot measure would lead to thousands of good jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars for schools — figures that other side disputes.

“I want to assure you this is no illusion, and it’s why I’m asking you to vote for Question 7,” Copperfield says.

Opponents to the expansion plans aren’t sitting idly by and doing nothing, though—an existing casino that opposes the National Harbor location has already pledged $18 million to encourage people to vote no on the question.

Come November, Maryland residents will vote on gambling, same-sex marriage and whether or not illegal immigrants who finish high school in Maryland should be granted in-state tuition rates at state universities.