Industry News
State of Maine Considers Expanding Slot Machine Gambling
Three state representatives are drafting bills that, if approved, would allow casino gambling in Maine, create another "racino" with slots and harness racing, and allow two of Maine's Indian tribes -- the Penobscot Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe -- to install slots on tribal lands.
Gov. John Baldacci has, however, renewed his opposition to more gambling in Maine, suggesting that supporters may have something of a fight on their hands.
The round legislative activity comes as opponents and backers supporters of gambling proceed with their efforts to place citizen referendums on the ballot to let the state's voters decide controversial issues.
Last year, backers of a Washington County racino started lobbying for their project. They may learn later next month if they collected enough valid signatures to compel a November vote on their plan. But, a referendum campaign to outlaw slot machines in Maine and a rival referendum drive to allow a casino in Oxford County have yet to submit their petitions to the state.
An organizer of the Oxford County casino campaign, Seth Carey said this week he is no longer planning to get that proposal on the ballot this year, but is aiming to collect enough signatures to schedule a referendum in 2008.
Legislative Battle
The coming legislative battle hinges on bills filed by Democratic Rep. Deborah Simpson of Auburn, Passamaquoddy Tribe Rep. Donald Soctomah and Penobscot Nation Rep. Donna Loring. Not one of their bills has been drafted yet, but all three lawmakers confirm that they hope to expand gambling in Maine.Simpson supported a failed 2003 referendum that would have allowed a tribal casino in Maine. She said her new bill will order the state to find a developer to develop, run and own a casino somewhere in southern Maine, possibly in cooperation with one or more Indian tribes. The host community will have to approve the plan before a casino could be built, however.
A new casino will be "more of a resort destination" than a just a slots parlor or a racino, Simpson said, for it would include a hotel and a conference center that would "bring people in from away." This facility will create jobs, boost state revenues and help in the conversion from an old economy that relied heavily on manufacturing to a new style one that is service-based
Soctomah said his legislation will be protection in case the initiative campaign for a referendum on a Washington County racino falls short of the 50,519 voter signatures needed to force a public vote. Soctomah's bill will, then, have the state legislature schedule a referendum on the issue.
Both Soctomah and Loring have bills that would allow slot machines on their respective tribal reservations, in conjunction with high-stakes bingo.
The Penobscot tribe wants 400 of the 1,500 slot machines currently allowed by state law because the Hollywood Slots parlor in Bangor has reduced the tribe's revenues from high-stakes bingo on Indian Island. Soctomah said the Passamaquoddy Tribe wants to install a combined total of 200 slots at its two reservations.
Hollywood Slots, at a temporary facility, now has 479 slot machines and is planning to have 1,000 to 1,500 slots in a permanent facility that should open in the middle of next year.
"They're spending their money at Hollywood Slots rather than at our facility," said Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation. "As a result, the tribe's bingo operation is now breaking even instead of providing what had been thousands of dollars in revenue for the tribe."
The Passamaquoddy Tribe has not ruled out legislation authorizing a tribal casino, but the chief said the bills he has introduced so far do not seek a casino. The chief said the Bangor slots parlor has failed to produce the crime and social ills that opponents predicted, so Washington County should be allowed to expand its revenue base with a racino or slots parlors.
© Copyright 2006 Online Casino Crawler This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Vegas Casino Online
brings the best progressive online casino games to your home,office or your preferred place to be.
|
0 Comments
0 Trackbacks
