ROCKVILLE - Slot machines would be nothing but bad news for Maryland's economy and residents, according to some Montgomery County Democrats.

A group of elected officials gathered Monday afternoon to criticize the so-called benefits of approving gambling in Maryland to help cure a looming budget deficit.

"The idea of slots in Maryland is an invitation to a race at the bottom," said state Sen. Brian Frosh in front of the Red Brick Courthouse. "The message you get from the referendum is ‘let's dive in.'"

Voters will decide on November's ballot if the state constitution should be amended to allow no more than 15,000 slot machine installations at five different locations across the state. The slots referendum has become one of the most heated issues in the state.

While proponents argue the slots will provide necessary funding for the state's education infrastructure, opponents believe the revenue projections are overly optimistic, and the problems associated with gambling far outweigh the benefits.

At today's news conference, state Sen. Jamie Raskin said gambling would create a society and an economy of winners and losers and Del. Susan Lee agreed.

"What a devastating impact this will be in minority communities," Lee told the crowd. "This will just make the situation worse."

Del. Heather Mizeur denounced the idea that the scheme would produce free money. Instead, she highlighted Maryland's status as the "wealthiest state in the nation" and said slot machines would "take us down a road that's not Maryland."

Del. Karen Montgomery lambasted the bill for having millions of dollars built into it to help people with gambling addiction.

"It is a sick bill," she said. "It is a sick system."

Although the issue of slots has become divisive for both parties in Maryland, Frosh said County Executive Isaiah Leggett's recently announced pro-slots stance wouldn't affect their ability to work together.

"Every elected official here is elected independently of every other so we agree on some issues and we disagree on some issues," he said.

The others nodded in agreement.