Gaming News

Tribes Lose Chance at Maine Track Slot Deal

MAINE – As reported by the Connecticut Day: "The Mashantucket Pequots and two Maine tribes have lost the opportunity to operate slot machines at the Bangor Raceway, but the chief of the Penobscot Indian Nation said Monday that the three tribes may pursue other gambling opportunities in the Vacation State.

"…The Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribes, who gave up the right to open a casino in their 1980 Settlement Act with the state, have been looking to cash in on the Indian gaming boom that began a decade later. Maine voters rejected the tribes' proposal to build a resort casino in a statewide referendum in November, but approved the operation of up to 1,500 slot machines at each of the two racetracks in the state.

"The two tribes had partnered with the Mashantuckets to operate the racino at Bangor Raceway and were trying to wrest the license away from Penn National Gaming Inc., a national casino and racetrack operator. A Superior Court judge ruled Friday that the tribes had applied for 'intervenor' status too late following the Maine Harness Racing Commission's decision to grant Penn National a conditional license. The judge also refused the tribes' request to overturn the license…"

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