Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

Proponents and opponents of gambling are preparing to square off again this year as the new Legislature gears up to decide if slot machines should be allowed in places other than the Hollywood Slots parlor that opened in Bangor in 2005. Three state legislators are drafting four bills that, if approved, would allow casino gambling in Maine, create another so-called "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. At the same time, Gov. John Baldacci has renewed his opposition to more gambling in Maine, suggesting that supporters may have an uphill fight. The flurry of legislative activity comes as supporters and opponents of gambling continue their efforts to place citizen-initiated referendums on the ballot to let voters decide such issues. It also follows heated, and unsuccessful, drives in the last Legislature to either allow a racino in Washington County or to let the voters settle that issue. Backers of a Washington County racino hope to learn later next month if they collected enough valid signatures to force a November vote on their plan. Meanwhile, a referendum campaign to outlaw slot machines in Maine and a competing referendum drive to allow a casino in Oxford County have yet to submit their petitions to the state. Seth Carey, an organizer of the Oxford County casino campaign, said Wednesday he has abandoned plans to get that proposal on the ballot this year and hopes to collect enough signatures to schedule a referendum in 2008. It was not clear Wednesday if the group that wants voters to outlaw slot machines will meet the state's Jan. 25 deadline for submitting petitions in time to schedule a referendum this year. The looming legislative battle centers on bills filed by Democratic Rep. Deborah Simpson of Auburn, Passamaquoddy Tribe Rep. Donald Soctomah and Penobscot Nation Rep. Donna Loring. None of their bills has been drafted yet, but interviews with all three lawmakers confirm that they hope to expand gambling in Maine.

Simpson, who supported a failed 2003 referendum that would have allowed a tribal casino in Maine, said Wednesday her bill would order the state to find a developer to build, operate and own a casino somewhere in southern Maine, possibly in cooperation with one or more Indian tribes. The host community would have to approve the plan before a casino could be built, she said.

A casino would be "more of a resort destination" than a slots parlor or a racino, Simpson said, because it would include a hotel and a conference center that would "bring people in from away." Such a facility, she said, would create jobs, boost state revenues and help in the transition from an economy that relied heavily on manufacturing.

Soctomah said one of his bills would serve as a backup 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 would have the Legislature schedule a referendum on the issue if the initiative campaign fails.

On another front, both Soctomah and Loring have bills that would allow slot machines on their respective tribal reservations, in conjunction with high-stakes bingo.

Loring said the Penobscot Nation wants 400 of the 1,500 slot machines currently allowed by state law because the Hollywood Slots parlor in Bangor has cut into 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 now has 479 slot machines in a temporary facility and plans to have 1,000 to 1,500 slots in a permanent facility that should open in mid 2008.

"They're spending their money at Hollywood Slots rather than at our facility," said Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation. As a result, he said, the tribe's bingo operation is now breaking even instead of providing what had been "thousands of dollars" in revenue for the tribe.

Soctomah said the Passamaquoddy Tribe has not ruled out legislation authorizing a tribal casino, but he said the bills he has introduced so far do not seek a casino. He 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.

Baldacci spokeswoman Joy Leach said in an e-mailed response to questions about the governor's reaction to the bills that "the governor's position on the expansion of gambling has not changed; he continues to oppose such expansions."

She said Baldacci "agrees with the (state) Gambling Control Board that a moratorium should be in place until a report or review with recommendations on gambling is completed."

"This is exactly what we worried about" when Hollywood Slots opened its doors, said Dennis Bailey of Casinos No!, an anti-gambling group. "Once you open the door a little bit, you're going to be in this fight year after year after year."

Predicting that the Legislature will be "very pro slot machines," Bailey said the outcome may hinge on whether Baldacci holds firm in his opposition.