Editorial: No racino for Passamaquoddy Tribe

Wednesday, October 31, 2007  

"Two wrongs don't make a right.

In 2003, Maine voters approved a Bangor racino. That vote was promoted as a way to help the state's struggling harness racing industry. While it led to a resurgence in that industry, it also led to construction of a $131 million racino complex in Bangor and explosive growth in the amount of legal gambling in the state.

It also paved the way for specious arguments that if Maine voters allowed gambling in Bangor, then it's only fair to allow the Passamaquoddy tribe to build a harness racing park and slot-machine parlor in economically depressed Washington County.

It was wrong to allow the racino into Bangor and it would be wrong to allow it in Washington County. Question 1 on the Nov. 6 ballot asks "Do you want to allow a Maine tribe to run a harness racing track with slot machines and high-stakes beano games in Washington County?" Our answer is no.

Gambling is a cheap and last-ditch form of economic development that ultimately preys on those whom it purports to help. Gambling addiction, rising crime and the emptying of local residents' bank accounts are the well-documented results of allowing slots and off-track-betting and casinos into communities. Is this the image of Maine that we want to promote?"

Get the Story:
Editorial: No expansion of gambling in Maine (The Kennebec Journal 10/31)

Related Story:
Maine racino vote looms (The Sea Coast Tribune 10/31)