Maryland’s St. Helena Island, Which Once Housed an Illegal Casino, Hits the Market
- 06 Oct 2025
- Gambling News
St. Helena Island, located between Annapolis and Baltimore in Maryland's Severn River, is for sale. At least some of it is.
The listed agent for 1002 St. Helena Island in Crownsville, Maryland, is Brad Kappel of TTR Sotheby's International Realty in Annapolis. The 6.5-acre historic estate on the northern part of the island has five bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, and more than 7,100 square feet of interior space.
The upscale property, which is listed for just under $3 million, boasts more than 1,600 linear feet of protected deep-water beachfront on Round Bay and is referred to as a "magnificent private island sanctuary on Saint Helena Island." The main residence features "extraordinary craftsmanship" in its imported Belgian mahogany and marble.
The history of the property is similarly remarkable. In the late 1920s, renowned Baltimore City lawyer Paul Burnett constructed the main residence. Up until 1942, the year before Burnett's death, it was home to the Burnett Hospital for Crippled Children.
Later years in the mansion were less moral.
Unauthorized Casino
Eugene Raney, whose fortune came from owning and running bowling alleys and a beer distribution network in Maryland, purchased the estate after Burnett passed away. Raney opened an upscale island club with restaurateur John Emory.
The owners of St. Helena introduced a few slot machines to the upscale getaway in the late 1940s, which was frequented by Maryland lawmakers, judges, and members of Congress. When police stormed St. Helena in 1951 and confiscated a large number of illegal slot machines, the pleasure came to an end. Later, Raney and Emory were found guilty of operating an unlawful gaming establishment.
Only after a statewide referendum in 2008 did Maryland allow slot machines. In 2012, a further referendum vote added table games.
In the late 1950s, Maryland Appellate Judge Stedman Prescott Jr. purchased the island from Raney. After Prescott passed away in February 1989, the island was purchased by a wedding and event firm, who planned to split it up into two separate homes.
The two properties are still privately owned today. In 2019, the northern half sold for $2.6 million.
Private Residence
According to the ad, the St. Helena Island property has yearly property taxes of almost $22,000. Although there are trails and a golf cart-accessible path, the island lacks roadways.
A disused water tower has been transformed into an office with 360-degree views in addition to the house. In contrast to many other Chesapeake private islands, St. Helena is connected to Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) by underwater tunnels.
According to Kappel's advertising, the auction is scheduled to conclude by October 30 and "starting bids" are being accepted through October 21. To set up a showing, a Proof of Funds is needed, and all offers must be made without a financing contingency.
