Gaming News

Debate Continues over Maine Slots

BANGOR, Maine – As reported by the Boston Globe: "Thirty minutes before the doors would open, people lined up outside Maine's first racetrack casino. The mood was upbeat despite the gray weather. Strangers sipped coffee and chatted easily.

"…Approved by Bangor voters in the hope that it would save their failing harness-racing track, a century-old local landmark, the new slots parlor, called Hollywood Slots, opened for business on Main Street last month. City officials, who say Bangor stands to collect an annual share of slots profits worth more than $1 million, are ecstatic about the new attraction, and plan to use some of the windfall to build a badly needed new convention center. But some Maine residents continue to debate whether the economic benefits of the casino will outweigh the potential costs of gambling addiction.

"…Located between the downtown shopping district and Bangor's famous Paul Bunyan statue, and open most nights until 2 a.m., Hollywood Slots houses 475 video slot machines in a former buffet restaurant near the Penobscot River. It has attracted 55,000 visitors so far; according to Hollywood slots, in November it took in $28.5 million of which $26.5 million was paid out to winners. Most of the 130 jobs at the temporary site are full-time and include health insurance…"

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