In Maine, a representative by the Passamaquoddy tribe reportedly testified facing state lawmakers earlier this week in hopes of helping get a legislation passed which could see ‘The Pine Tree State’ receptive its very first aboriginal casino.
Ardent urge:
According to a report from CalvinAyre.com, Rena Newell (pictured) in the federally-recognized tribe told the joint Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee at Augusta that legalizing an aboriginal casino for Maine will help out with improving her team ’s economic situation while allowing it to additional improve its connection with the state.
Pair of suggestions:
Maine lawmakers are considering two individual pieces of legislation which could see the state of roughly 1.3 million individuals legalize a tribal gaming center. One suggestion would supposedly allow the Passamaquoddy to run some 50 slot machines in an existing Washington County bingo hall in exchange for agreeing to hand over 25% of any related revenues.
But, the passage of another and more complex piece of legislation could give the Passamaquoddy consent to associate with many other regional tribes like the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Aroostook Band of Micmacs and the Penobscot Nation in order to open a bigger facility featuring slot and table games. To allay any competition concerns, this measure purportedly mandates that any venue be found at least 50 miles away from the eastern state’s two existing commercial casinos at Oxford County and Penobscot County.
Saturation concerns:
Maine is currently home to the Hollywood Casino Bangor from Penn National Gaming Incorporated in addition to Churchill Downs Incorporated’s Oxford Casino Hotel and opponents of the proposed legislation have reportedly argued that authorizing a third casino could see the largely rural state become over saturated.
Commercial opposition:
As such, the General Manager for Oxford Casino Hotel, Jack Sours, used his time in front of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee to declare that the casino market in Maine ‘has simply stopped growing’ after an extended period of advancement. He proclaimed that any increased competition could only ‘move dollars from one’ casino into another and lead to ‘small or no advantage to the state. ’
“Expanding gambling in Maine, like has happened in other jurisdictions to the verge of saturation, will hurt the existing facilities, price jobs and enhance their development. If you choose to expand gaming at this time, you will kill this successful economic engine for Oxford County. ”
