BALTIMORE (AP) - A developer is scrapping its plans to begin casino operations at Arundel Mills mall by the end of the year.

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Baltimore-based Cordish Cos. is now planning to open its casino in stages, beginning next June with 2,750 machines. Cordish plans to have the entire 4,750-machine project finished by October of 2012.

The decision to push back the plan into next year is expected to cost the state an estimated $70 million in revenue that was expected go toward education. A spokesman for Gov. Martin O'Malley says officials are still trying to determine the broader effects of the delay.

The project at Arundel Mills has been slowed down by legal opposition, but a challenge to its construction permits was eventually dropped.

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Information from: The Baltimore Sun, http://www.baltimoresun.com