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ANNAPOLIS — The time is right for Maryland to consider full-fledged casinos, a former delegate and member of the panel that awards slot machine licenses said Friday.

"I think we're at a point where one of the recommendations we need to make to leaders of the legislature and the governor is we should consider the addition of true casinos in the state of Maryland," said D. Bruce Poole, a Democrat who represented Washington County in the House of Delegates from 1987 to 1999.

Poole said that although he voted against slots while a delegate, "we're now at a different time. There is a dire need for revenues in the subdivisions."

Counties that had opposed slots may now support having a new revenue source, he said.

When it comes to gambling, Maryland is competing with other states, he said.

"The other competitors are simply outstripping us," Poole said. "They're ahead of us. West Virginia, the state across the river from me, has table games coming to it and they're going to have a casino. There's no question that's where the bright lights are."

Table games nearby in West Virginia are going to make it difficult to attract people to a slots facility at Rocky Gap State Park in Allegany County, he said.

A casino with table games also will attract people of higher economic means who will spend more on restaurants, hotels and other amenities than slots players, Poole said.

"I don't want to see the poor milked, but I don't mind milking the wealthy," he said.

Video Lottery Facility Location Commission Chairman Donald C. Fry said Poole's comments were "very appropriate," though bringing "a full-fledged casino concept" to the state would require a constitutional amendment that, like the 2008 ballot measure approving 15,000 slot machines at five sites, would have to be approved by a statewide voter referendum.

No other member of the commission spoke on the matter. Robert R. Neall, a former Anne Arundel state senator and county executive, resigned from the panel earlier this week.

Poole's comments came as the panel considered several issues for potential legislation. The issues ranged from technical changes to legislation establishing the slots program to recommendations sought by the Western Maryland Delegation to make Rocky Gap more attractive to potential bidders.

Legislative changes sought by the delegation include increasing the operator's cut of slots revenues at Rocky Gap on a permanent or temporary basis, reducing the amount of capital investment a bidder for the Rocky Gap license would have to commit and including the purchase price of the lodge with the required capital investment.

The lodge, which is owned by the state, has been a money-loser since it opened. Delegation members said they see the incentives as a way to attract a bidder for the slots license and potentially rid the state of the financial burden of the lodge.

Last year, a potential bidder for the Rocky Gap license failed to front the required license fee.

Slots facilities in Cecil County and at Ocean Downs in Berlin are expected to open in the fall. A plan for a Baltimore city slots parlor near Camden Yards was rejected last month. The panel plans to rebid the site sometime this year.

The commission also approved a license for a facility near Arundel Mills mall in Hanover, though Anne Arundel County residents and the Maryland Jockey Club have launched a petition drive to put the license before voters this fall.

Last week, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. proposed expanding slots into Prince George's County in a bid to save Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington.

Slots could go at either Rosecroft, the National Harbor or an equestrian center in Upper Marlboro, said Miller (D-Dist. 27) of Chesapeake Beach.

House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Dist. 30) of Annapolis and Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) said they were caught off guard by the proposal and did not support taking up the issue this year.