Is it Time for a Full-Blown Casino in Maine? By Michael S. Heath Feb 25, 2009 - 2:11:35 PM

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Representative Sawin Millett

According to veteran legislator, Sawin Millett, it is time for a full-blown casino in Maine.  Representative Millett spoke with me in the State House yesterday.  He has introduced a bill (not yet printed) that will, if passed, create a casino in Oxford County.  Mainers rejected a similar proposal in November of last year in a statewide vote.

Millett wants to limit the voting this time to just Oxford County.  He says that all the towns in Androscoggin County voted for the Casino last year.  Governor John Baldacci's office told me that the Governor opposes the plan because it limits the voting to just Oxford County.  The Governor favors statewide voting before the state implements gambling expansions.

Representative Dale Crafts, R-Lisbon FallsMaine currently restricts big-dollar gambling to Bangor's slot machine casino, Hollywood Slots.  The Bangor facility was marketed to the public as slot machines in the back room of a horse racing track.  Hollywood Slots is, instead, a multi-million dollar slot machine palace in downtown Bangor.

Millett's casino will feature table games, currently illegal in the Pine Tree State.

Representative Dale Crafts

Representative Millett was quick to allow that he "isn't saying anything about the sinfulness of gambling."  He describes his proposal as a jobs bill suggesting that Maine should work to keep gamblers from going to other states to gamble.  He mentioned a relative who works in a casino in another state.

Representative Dale Crafts, R-Lisbon Falls, says he is opposed to the idea.  He believes the costs to society outweigh the benefits.  Crafts believes a casino doesn't help the economy in the long run.  He thinks they might provide a short term boost.

Use our Citizen Action Center to send a thank you right now to Representative Crafts for his stand.  You will see the Alert under "Other Action Alerts."

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