Pro-Slots Committee Raised More Than $7 Million

The committee that led Maryland's campaign to legalize slot machines collected more than $2.6 million during the final weeks before the election, with the vast majority of contributions coming from people and companies that could benefit from expanded gambling in the state, according to reports made public today.

Including donations logged after Oct. 20, For Maryland For Our Future raised a total of more than $7 million for its pro-slots campaign, more than seven times what was reported by the leading anti-slots group, Marylanders United To Stop Slots, which raised about $950,000.

Nearly 59 percent of voters supported a Nov. 4 ballot measure to authorize up to 15,000 slot machines at locations in Allegany, Anne Arundel, Cecil and Worcester counties and Baltimore. Specific sites will be chosen by a state commission appointed by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and legislative leaders.