MILLSBORO — The ink was barely dry on the governor’s budget address before the developers of the planned Del Pointe harness racing track and resort announced they want to add a casino to their plans.

The developers were responding to Governor Jack Markell’s decision to support sports betting and allow up to three more casinos in Delaware as a way to help the state ease its current budget crunch.

Ocean Atlantic, developers of the planned project, already had extensive plans for its site just north of Millsboro that include a harness racing track, hotel, restaurants, homes, an indoor water park, shopping, a paintball area and a 12-screen movie theater.

The site is located near the Stockley Center and Sussex Central High School. Del Pointe has asked the town of Millsboro to annex the property and an annexation report is likely to be presented at the April meeting of the Millsboro Town Council. Not being annexed into Millsboro would slow down the project, but would just mean the developers seek county approval for their plans.

Developers had planned an informational meeting for the community at the Independence development on Wednesday, April 1 and a series of three public meetings have been set by the House Gaming Committee to gather public input on the issue of sports betting.

Those meetings, which aren’t intended to focus on any one project, will be held in each county. The Sussex County meeting is slated for 6 p.m. on Monday, April 6 in Del Tech’s Arts and Sciences Center in Georgetown and the public is welcome to attend.

Allowing additional casinos has come under fire from Delaware’s existing casinos at Dover Downs, Delaware Park and Harrington Raceway. Owners have claimed the extra competition would hurt them and force layoffs. The issue of sports betting has also roused the ire of the National Football League, which has gone on record as opposing Delaware’s possible plans.

Delaware is one of four states grandfathered from a 1992 federal law outlawing sports betting, and the only one east of the Mississippi River. Supporters have contended that it would give Delaware a competitive advantage over neighboring states’ slots operations, drawing more players to the state and increasing revenue.

While much of the focus has been on the state budget shortfall, Preston Schell, one of the founders of the successful Ocean Atlantic companies, said there is another reason why Del Pointe should be approved. "It’s about three things," Mr. Schell said. "Jobs, jobs and jobs. It’s much bigger than a racetrack and casino."

He estimated that the project would create some 6,000 construction jobs during development and approximately 1,800 full-time permanent jobs once it is built.

"It will be a destination resort," he said, saying the location close to the beach and close to major highways is a nearly perfect location. He added that the goal is to create jobs for Delawareans and for Sussex Countians.

If approved, the project will bring in an estimated $62 million plus into Delaware coffers, helping boost the economy and ease the deficit, he said. The harness racing and agriculture industry have been supportive of plans because of the benefits to the equine industry.

The plans also include some 80 acres of land set aside for possible future community use like a medical facility or boys and girls club. That is their way of giving back to the community, Mr. Schell said. Depending on the eventual use of the property, the land could be discounted or offered free for such a project. But like the rest of the project, he cautions that the casino is needed in order to make it economically feasible.

Some elements of the plan could be changed depending on public input and that input is welcome, he said. A new Web site http://www.delpointeresort.com is expected to be up and running late this week. Wendy Baker of Ocean Atlantic said that people can go to the site to suggest ideas for the project or to register for jobs once they begin hiring.

Del Pointe has received conditional approval from the Delaware Harness Racing Commission to operate the race track. Plans call for the track to be completed to allow for a possible short racing season in 2010.

"We are very sensitive to the impact our new facility, should it be approved, could have on the existing three race tracks, particularly Harrington Raceway. As our market study points out, the biggest threat to Delaware racinos is coming from Maryland’s recent approval of slot casinos in their state, including a facility at Ocean Downs just over the Delaware State line in Berlin, MD. This facility, if Delaware does not respond with an additional gaming venue to compete with it, will likely capture a large share of the Delaware beach market. . . Del Pointe, if approved, would keep these gaming revenues in Delaware while creating a major regional resort destination that will build upon our already successful tourism industry," he said.

"In closing, we recognize that getting a new slots venue approved by the Legislature in our state will be challenging," Mr. Schell said. "Naturally, the other three racinos will fight hard to protect their interests. We strongly believe, however, that when one steps back and looks at the facts and asks if Del Pointe is right for Delaware, the answer is a resounding yes."