Anti-slots Group Protests In Maine

In a rather strong effort to eliminate the slots in the state of Maine, a group called No Slots for ME! is reportedly planning a huge signature drive just outside voting venues in November.

Speaking for No Slots for ME! is Doug Muir. He told reporters: "We always thought the licensing of one slots facility would lead to more, and we're seeing that prophecy being played out."

Bangor, the third-largest city in Maine, is the only city that has all the necessary government approvals to host a slots facility. Hollywood Slots at Bangor is the only licensed slots operator in Maine.

But Hollywood Slots owner, Penn National Gaming Co., has earlier reveled that it plans to start the construction of a fixed slots venue with 1,500 slot machines, and this would be on Main Street.

As this developed, in Oxford County, another slots establishment has already been proposed.

On why the group chose to conduct the signature drive outside polling venues, Muir said: "The tribe's endeavors do make it more important to bring the whole issue of slots back to the voters."

Officers of No Slots for ME! include former Gov. Angus King and Michael Heath of the Christian Civic League of Maine.

Monday, 18 September 2006
Kori Woffendin