"This newspaper has been firmly opposed to casinos and racinos in Maine. We have said it's a poor substitute for economic development, runs contrary to our interest in preserving the image of Maine and has the potential to cause social problems such as gambling addiction.

Only two forms of legal gambling have been approved in Maine: the state lottery (worse than a casino because it's state-sponsored fleecing) and the racino in Bangor, which slipped in under the voters' radar the year that the Sanford casino was soundly defeated.

We have also been against the bill to allow the Passamaquoddy tribe to open a casino in Washington County (the bill failed) and have so far editorialized against the proposal to allow a casino in Oxford County that is a referendum question on the November ballot.

Yet ... we are beginning to soften on this issue."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Oxford casino gets 'no' vote (The Central Maine Morning Sentinel 10/22)