He said he supports the Del Pointe Resort & Racino proposal, a 377-acre racino and entertainment complex that would also have a 1-mile harness-racing track. “I’ve been claiming all along to increase the pie by placing Del Pointe in Millsboro,” he said. In Sussex County, said Schwartzkopf, about 1 percent of visitors are gambling, compared to 40 percent in Kent County, who gamble at casinos. “We have tons of people that come to this area that aren’t going to these casinos.”

Schwartzkopf also said the report indicated a 1-mile harness racing track is better for the health of racehorses, and it also provides for more competitive racing. “Overall, I would say revenue jumps dramatically if we put Del Pointe out there,” he said.

Schwartzkopf also said as upgrades to Ocean Downs in Ocean City, Md., come closer to being completed, without a Sussex casino, revenue would be lost to nearby gambling venues. Del Pointe principal Preston Schell refused to comment in detail until the report is made public. “We are confident the results will show that the gaming pie is not fixed as planned by existing racetracks but increases drastically with the addition of one of two casinos and adds a significant number of much needed jobs,” said Schell.

A nearly 80-acre racino has also been proposed for Route 9 outside Georgetown: Georgetown Downs. Principals in that proposal include Dover-based attorney Glenn Mandalas, legislative lobbyist and former Sussex County Administrator Joe Conaway of Georgetown, Dover-based attorney Constantine Malmberg and Ruby Schaeffer, wife of former Smryna Mayor Mark Schaeffer. Philadelphia-based businessman Michael Pouls is also slated to own 68 percent of Georgetown Downs.

A racino has also been proposed for Delmar. Attempts to reach Delmar principals were not successful at press time.