Anti-Gaming Organizations Want to Prohibit Slot Machines in Maine

On November 8th, 2007, one day after the voters in Maine barred the Passamaquoddy Tribe from its plan to construct a racing track in Washington County, organizations that are against the plan commented that they will still continue to oppose the plan even the Hollywood Slots at Bangor.

The company is currently in the midst of a $131 million construction project. Fred Kilfoil, the spokesperson for the No Slots for ME! said that their main goal is to ban the slot machines all over the state. The group has no immediate plans to repeal the law that was approved by the voters during a statewide referendum in 2003 that allowed the Hollywood Slots to open. But Kilfoil said that they plan to deal with the issue in the near future.

The group was very vocal in their dislike to the Passamaquoddy's Tribe to offer 1,500 new slot machines and build a racing track to Calais just across the St. Croix River from Canada. The organization released a statement that said that while they agreed with the side of the tribe that it is unfair to allow out of state business organizations like Penn National Gaming Incorporated to operate the Hollywood Slots at Bangor but to not allow a Maine Tribe to offer slot machines.

CasinosNO! Executive Director Dennis Bailey said that the solution would be to remove all of the slot machines. Norman Heitmann III, the counsel for the city of Bangor said that it would be impossible for the voters to repeal the slots allowing the Hollywood Slots to operate in Bangor. Hollywood Slots spokesperson Amy Kenney commented that the vote would not affect their ongoing project.

Thursday, 22 November 2007
Caroline Mitchell