In 23 days, Maryland voters will decide an issue that has vexed Annapolis lawmakers for years: whether to establish slot-machine casinos across the state in a bid to boost state revenues, save the horse-racing industry and stem the flow of gambling dollars to nearby states.
Under a constitutional amendment up for voter ratification, the state would establish up to 15,000 slot machines in five jurisdictions: Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Cecil, Allegany and Worcester counties. The chief beneficiaries of "Question 2" on the November ballot would be public education, the horse-racing industry, gambling operators and local governments.
