Voters in Maine easily rejected plans for a new commercial casino after leaders of the largest tribes raised objections.
According to news reports, 83 percent of voters registered "No" on
Question 1. That's a big change from prior elections, in which two gaming projects secured approval despite tribal concerns.
The
Penobscot Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe (
Pleasant Point and
Indian Township) again objected to the
proposed casino in York County. They called it a bad deal for their communities, which receive a small percentage of revenues from an existing gaming facility.
But the project also had many other opponents, including
Gov. Paul LePage (R), who hasn't enjoyed the best relationship with tribes. Additionally, voters expressed concerns about the backers of the casino, with one acquiring a
"shady" label during the campaign.
The
Aroostook Band of Micmacs, on the other hand, endorsed Question 1. Though the failed casino would have been far from the tribe's reservation in the northern part of the state, its backers pledged to fund economic development efforts there.
Maine is already home to two non-Indian casinos, both of which were approved by
voters. When tribes have pursued similar projects, they have been met repeatedly
with defeat and significant
political
opposition.
Most tribes can freely engage in gaming on their own
lands. But the
Houlton
Band of Maliseet Indians, the
Penobscot Nation and the
Passamaquoddy Tribe (
Pleasant
Point and
Indian
Township) cannot follow the
Indian
Gaming Regulatory Act due to restrictive provisions in their
land claim settlement acts.
As a result, the tribes are "subject to distinct disadvantages when
exploring the potential for gaming to act as an economic engine for tribal
economic development and self-sufficiency," a
2014
report that was commissioned for the Maine Legislature reads.
The Aroostook Band is not subject to the same general restriction because the
tribe falls under a different
land
claim settlement. But the tribe's reservation is located in a remote and
rural area of northern Maine that may not be an attractive gaming market.
In contrast, the
Oxford
Casino is located near Portland, the state's most populous city. Voters
approved
the facility in 2010 by a slight majority.
The developers are required to share a small portion of net slot machine
income -- 4 percent -- with the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy governments. The
provision was added without the tribes' prior knowledge or consent and payments
can be revoked in the event the tribes ever own or operate their own facilities.
The other non-Indian gaming facility in Maine is the
Hollywood Casino Hotel
and Raceway in Bangor, another population center. Voters
approved
the addition of slot machines there in 2003 while at the same time rejecting
a casino
proposed
by the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribes.
Read More on the Story:
Maine voters overwhelmingly defeat proposal for York County casino
(The Portland Press Herald November 7, 2017)
Maine Voters Reject York County Casino Proposal
(Maine Public November 7, 2017)
Maine voters resoundingly reject York County casino
(The Bangor Daily News November 7, 2017)
Question 1: Maine voters say no dice to York County casino
(The Associated Press November 7, 2017)
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Passamaquoddy
Tribe and Penobscot Nation oppose bid for new Maine casino (November 3, 2017)
Aroostook
Band of Micmacs backs ballot referendum for new casino in Maine (October 13,
2017)
