In a stunning development which escaped the notice of the media and the people of Maine, Democrat Thom Watson, the House Chairman of the Taxation Committee, has sponsored a bill which will allow the state government to operate various types of gambling facilities throughout the state. Under the plan, the state would generate much needed revenue by putting the gambling parlors out to bid, and then would take a percentage of the winnings. Incredibly, the wording of the proposal is broad enough to allow off-track betting parlors of the type found in New York (OTBs) which have been a constant source of scandal and corruption under Democratic administrations in that state.

In a resolution passed by the House, the Senate, and approved by the Governor, the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee was instructed to  "develop a comprehensive policy regarding slot machine and casino-style gambling in the State, including but not limited to, state-operated gambling facilities, additional slot machine facilities at commercial tracks and a competitive bidding process allowing private entities to contract with the state to conduct gambling." Under the resolution, The Legal and Veteran Affairs Committee will develop a comprehensive policy on expanded state-run gambling and will present the appropriate bills next year.

Watson's bill was originally entitled "An Act to Establish a State-controlled Casino" and specified that the state would have control over the location, design, and development of the casino, and how the profits of the casino were distributed.

The state's proposed operation of gambling parlors follows on the heels of other legislative efforts to expand gambling in Maine. These efforts include a proposed casino in Oxford County, the use of slot machines in non-profit organizations, and the loosening of restrictions on harness racing.

Mike Heath, Executive Director of the Maine Family Policy Council, commented on the bill by saying, "It is appalling in a time of economic crisis that a state government which has already mismanaged finances so badly would turn to vice as a source of revenue. Such a plan  makes a mockery of Maine's reputation for honesty, hard work, and government integrity. It is deeply disturbing that the proposal would come from the Chairman of the Taxation Committee. It is clear that Augusta lost its moral compass when it endorsed homosexual marriage. Now they are looking for a way to prey directly on the public."

Just when the state is seeking increased revenues through state-run gambling facilities, the state has revealed that it botched its outreach to problem gamblers. A number of high-profile incidents, including the suicide of  problem gambler Aaron Walsh and thefts at a nursing home in Bangor point to a pressing need to treat   problem gamblers.

Instead, the Gambling Control Board revealed at its meeting in May that $100, 000 put aside by The Department of  Health and Human Services for problem gamblers went unused for two years, and not a single problem gambler was treated. The revelation came after the matter was uncovered by the House Appropriations Committee while reviewing Maine's budget woes last month. The money has since been recalled, and $20,000 of the amount intended for problem gamblers was rerouted to the Maine Office of Substance Abuse.