"Backers of proposals to put several casino options — not just the one in Oxford County — out to voters are right that a better approach to gambling questions is needed. But significantly expanding gambling, which the proposals would do, before a comprehensive state policy is developed is backwards.
Late last year, backers of a resort casino in Oxford County submitted more than 100,000 signatures to get a referendum seeking approval of their project on the November ballot. In recent weeks, the Passamaquoddy Tribe and Penobscot Nation, which have tried unsuccessfully to get voter approval of gambling projects, have sought to piggyback on the Oxford question. Hollywood Slots at Bangor also wants its proposal — to expand its offerings to include table games — included in the competing question. The groups are using a procedure that allows the Legislature to put a “competing measure” on the ballot alongside the Oxford County casino question. This would relieve them of having to gather signatures for separate ballot questions on their proposals in the future. To date, Maine has treated gambling questions as if they were special and unique. The number of times that voters have faced questions on allowing casinos — coupled with the steady growth in gambling across the country — shows that this is no longer the case." Get the Story: