Penobscot Nation seeks share of slot machines

Tuesday, April 10, 2007  

The Penobscot Nation is asking the state of Maine for approval to operate slot machines on Indian Island.

The tribe operates a high-stakes bingo hall. But revenues have fallen since slot machines were installed at a gaming facility in Bangor, Chief Kirk Francis said at a hearing on Monday.

"I see the effects diminishing resources have on our community," Francis told the Legislature’s Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee, Capitol News Service reported. "Problems in our health care system, unmet housing needs, elder care and community fire protection. All these things we are talking about are essential to the health of any community or government, and we are no different."

Maine law authorizes 1,500 slot machines. The tribe wants lawmakers to set aside 400 of the machines.

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Penobscots want slots on Indian Island (Capitol News Service 4/10)