Maryland voters approved legalizing slot machines Tuesday in a constitutional amendment, paving the way for up to 15,000 machines in five locations and ending years of debate between lawmakers who never managed to pass the measure on their own.

Voters statewide also approved amending the constitution to allow the General Assembly to approve early voting legislation.

For slots, the sites approved by voters are in Anne Arundel, Cecil and Worcester counties, the city of Baltimore and on state property in Rocky Gap State Park in western Maryland.

Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley, who proposed the referendum idea, said slots are badly needed to help fix the state's big budget deficits.

"We're already facing some really tremendous challenges because of the downturn in the economy, and if this had been rejected, we would have doubled those challenges," O'Malley said.

Some voters described a difficult balance between whether to expand gambling for the sake of schools, which will receive about half of the proceeds, or to turn away the social ills associated with the gambling devices.

"I came to the conclusion that slot machines are a tax on poor people ... and I just don't feel right about it," said Bill White after voting against the proposal at Annapolis Middle School.

But for other voters, it wasn't a hard decision at all, considering the financial need for schools.

"They need every penny they can get," said Diane Brown of Severna Park, who has had three children go through the public school system.

For opponents, the toughest part of the ballot question was the impact it could have on people who are struggling economically but willing to risk what little they have on long-shot jackpots.

"I feel it's an addiction that can get overwhelming," said Roger Pastrana in Annapolis.

But supporters noted neighboring states have slot machines that lure Marylanders.

"If we're pumping up their revenues, we might as well take care of our own kids here," said Pamela Marshall in Hagerstown, about 40 miles from Charles Town, W.Va., where a horse racing track has slots.

O'Malley included the referendum as part of his plan to address a structural deficit during last year's special session. Worsening economic conditions have created annual budget deficits in the area of $1 billion for the next several years, causing supporters to press the importance of the financial lift in recent months.

The state could receive $90 million for the next fiscal year through the sale of slot machine licenses. Once slots are fully operational in fiscal year 2013, slots could generate as much as $660 million annually for the state, according to estimates by state budget analysts.

As for the early voting amendment, lawmakers will now be able to enact legislation to allow qualified voters to cast ballots up to two weeks before an election and at polling places outside of their election districts. More than 30 states already have early voting.