The Penobscot Nation of Maine says the legalization of slot machines has hurt its bingo operation.

The tribe used to bring in $150,000 a year from bingo. But now that a non-Indian racetrack is offering slot machines, profit has fallen to $3,800, the tribe's representative to the state Legislature said.

Donna Loring asked fellow lawmakers to re-allocate 400 of the 1,500 slot machines allowed under state law to the tribe. "This is a very serious situation," she said, The Bangor Daily News reported. "The general fund contributes to our emergency services and our health and human services, so this is a huge loss for us."

Voters approved slots at the racetrack in 2004 but rejected a tribal casino. The tribe hasn't given up plans to legalize a casino.

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Indian nation requests redress (The Bangor Daily News 2/22)