SEARCH NEWS:

 

Racino Debate Moves to Maine House

AUGUSTA, Maine – As reported by the Portland Press Herald: "The debate over slot machines at harness racing tracks shifts to the State House on Wednesday when a legislative committee takes up Gov. John Baldacci's plan to create a gambling commission to regulate the industry. Political support for such a commission appears to be strong. But the governor's bill is coming under attack from Scarborough Downs and its allies in the Legislature because it would not allow the Downs to keep looking for a new home for its proposed 'racino.'

"Voters in Scarborough, Saco and Westbrook have refused to allow a racino in their communities, and the Downs has run out of options under the law Maine voters passed in November authorizing racinos. That law says Scarborough Downs and Bangor Raceway had until Dec. 31 to win local approval for slot machines at their current locations or at sites within five miles of the existing tracks.

"…Baldacci's bill would create a five-member Gambling Control Board within the Department of Public Safety to regulate the distribution, operation and maintenance of slot machines at racinos.

"The bill would limit the number of slots to 3,000 statewide and 1,500 per track, and also would establish licensing criteria.

"…The bill would require that 90 percent of total slot revenues go back to the players, force racino operators to compensate off-track betting parlors and high-stakes bingo games that lose money to racinos, and require that racino operators retain harness racing at their facilities…"

< Gaming News