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DECEMBER 23, 2022
HOLIDAY
Merry Christmas OC Today and Bayside Gazette will be closed Friday, Dec. 23 and Monday, Dec. 26. The office will reopen Tuesday, Dec. 27.
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Right whale regs wrong? Recreational anglers say speed restrictions could put industry in jeopardy
SUBMITTED FROM NORTH POLE
DEAR SANTA
No letter to Santa would be complete without a portrait of the Jolly Old Elf and other adornments, including an illustration of the cat that Morgan H. wants for Christmas. This and other letters to Santa, redirected from their recipient to Ocean City Today, appear on page 25.
By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (Dec. 23, 2022) If local anglers’ fears are realized, the latest federal efforts to save endangered right whales off the East Coast could throw a wrench in one of Ocean City’s most lucrative and booming industries. Billed as the “White Marlin Capital of the World,” the resort relies heavily on commercial and recreational fishing, as they draw thousands of anglers to the coast every year. But as new vessel speed regulations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, or NOAA, come down the pipeline, industry officials worry about the possible trickle-down effects. Madelyne Rowan, the tournament director of the White Marlin Open, has been following the implementation of the proposed changes since NOAA officials released them earlier this year, and has grave concerns for not only the open, but all recreational fishing. “Obviously we’re concerned for our event but our bigger concern is
BY MOIRA BROWN AND NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM
A right whale breaches.
the recreational fishing industry as a whole,” she said. “Literally, on the whole East Coast.” See WHALE Page 4
Sports betting pays off for Ocean Downs By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (Dec. 23, 2022) Just under a year ago, Ocean City business members and dignitaries joined Oceans Downs Casino officials to clip a celebratory ribbon launching sports betting kiosks inside the gambling facility on
Route 589. Now, according to data from the Maryland State Lottery & Gaming Control Agency, the casino has netted more than $1.4 million in revenue from bets on college and national football, baseball, basketball, soccer and other sporting events.
Ocean Downs General Manager Bobbi Sample said in an email last week that the NFL and NBA have seemed to generate the most wagers over the last year at the 20 Twinspires Sportsbook kiosks in front of Poseidon’s Pub inside the casino. She also said that the existence of
the sportsbook has had a trickledown effect by bringing more foot traffic into the casino and increasing food and drink sales. Oceans Downs was one of nine locations across the state that received a license to launch a sportsbook opSee SPORTS Page 3