Lawmakers in Maine have introduced a slew of gaming bills, including two that would benefit tribes.
LD
1066 authorizes the state to license a casino with 350 slot machines for the
Houlton Band of Maliseet
Indians. The project would be subject to a vote in Aroostook County.
LD 762 authorizes the Penobscot Nation to operate electronic Class II gaming machines. The tribe is currently restricted to paper bingo.
Tribal casinos historically have not received favorable receptions among lawmakers and voters. But tribes hope this year will be different because a report
commissioned by the Legislature suggests there is room in the state for more gaming facilities.
Some Maine tribes are in a unique situation because they fall under land
claim settlements that subject their reservations to state law. As a result, they cannot follow the Indian
Gaming Regulatory Act.
Get the Story:
Maine lawmakers push for more casinos
(The Bangor Daily News 4/28)
Bill Would Allow Aroostook County Casino
(Maine Public Broadcasting Network 4/27)
Related Stories:
Houlton
Band hopes to avoid statewide referendum on casino bid (04/09)
Lawmaker
from Houlton Band introduces bill to authorize casino (4/8)
Maine
tribes hopeful for casino as lawmakers examine new study (09/11)
Report suggests path for a tribal gaming
facility in northern Maine (9/3)
Opinion: Don't bet on
gambling to fix state's budget problems (07/11)
Opinion: Denial of
gaming to Maine tribes a fundamental injustice (04/14)
Maine tribes seek
inclusion in bill to study expansion of gaming (04/11)