Marylanders United to Stop Slots

As horseracing fans waited to see Big Brown and his competitors in Saturday's Preakness Stakes, the debate over whether the state should legalize the release of 15,000 slot machines could be felt in the stands at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

As the Associated Press (AP) reported Sunday, about 60 proponents of the November ballot referendum passed out 5,000 T-Shirts before the race that expressed support for slots. While the shirts may have been free, they were still nearly gone by noon.

Comptroller Peter FranchotAmong the many issues that divide Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) and Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith (D), the debate over whether the state should permit slot machine gambling is certainly on that list.

Smith, who may challenge Franchot in the 2010 Democratic primary, is a proponent of the referendum, while the comptroller is a fierce opponent.

Voters will decide in November if the state should legalize the release of up to 15,000 slots machines at racetracks and other locations across Maryland.

With Maryland voters set to decide on a contentious slots referendum this fall, the state Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday that it was coming out in favor of the ballot measure.

"There is no realistic alternative to replace the revenue slots will generate for the state," Kathleen Snyder, the state Chamber's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "Recapturing money spent on slots in other states will help provide needed education funding increases and prevent future tax increases."

In November, voters will decide if the state should legalize the release of up to 15,000 slot machines at racetracks and other locations throughout the state.