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Campaign Spending For and Against Maine Casino Surges

Posted on October 28th, 2010

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Since the start of the new millennium, votes of the state of Maine have been asked the casino question five times. Maine residents have faced different questions in various referenda regarding either a casino or an expansion of gambling. Out of the five times this has happened, the pro-casino party has only tasted victory once which happened way back 2003, bringing about the operation of Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway located in Bangor. The exact question which Maine voters will have to answer this coming election reads: “Do you want to allow a casino with table games and slot machines at a single site in Oxford County, subject to local approval, with part of the profits going to specific state, local and tribal programs?”

Currently, the anti-casino cause is spearheaded by two major political action committees. Perhaps the most ironic fact about this is that one of these groups, Against the Oxford County Casino, is bankrolled by none other than Penn National. CasinosNo! though, the other anti casino organization, said that they do not receive funds from Penn. Most of the residents believe that Penn is doing this out of fear of competition, but Penn National explains the issue extends further than that. The groups’ biggest beef about the casino proposal on Oxford County, said to have a $165 million price tag, is its bias. As of the moment, the Bangor Hollywood Slots does not have table games. Moreover, the facility is barred from adding them without having to resort to a new voter referendum. On the other hand, this new casino, should it be approved, would have table games like blackjack and poker “pre-approved” already (refer to question above).

Moreover, the proposal also has a provision which bars any future gambling facilities casinos from operating within a 100-mile radius of the facility in Oxford Gambling Citizens Against the Oxford County Casino member Dan Cashman said, “Our group is not opposed to the expansion of gambling. This proposal is clearly about limiting competition for them.” On the defensive, Black Bear Entertainment, a group of investors based in Maine behind this casino effort, always gives special mention to Hollywood Slots as an example of what positive benefits gambling can provide. One of Black Bear’s investor, Rob Lally, explained, “Hollywood Slots has proven that [casinos] can create jobs and revenue for the state.” Lally is also a co-owner of the Mount Abram Ski Resort in Greenwood. Question 1 supporters may be in luck as the timing of the referendum is opportune. Unemployment in Oxford County is one of the highest in Maine and the economy is struggling to rebound. Voters who are not actually crazy about casinos may as well check on yes for Question 1 this year. The job creation promise is far too enticing for Maine’s residents, particularly those in Oxford County. All 16 counties in Maine get to have a say on the fate of the casino initiative.

With only a few days to go before the November 2 vote, the referendum is still a tossup, at least according to polls. Pan Atlantic SMS Group conducted a poll last week which revealed that 49 percent of voters are for the initiative and those in opposition are close with 45 percent. Casino opponents may be counting on the crucial 6 percent undecided to swing their way. Spending for advertising has also been on the upsurge. So far, casino proponents in Oxford County have been outspending casino opponents 6-to-1, with figures reported by the Maine Ethics Commission.

Lally defended the money raised by Maine Taxpayers Taking Charge, which has been reported to reach $2.9 million by saying, “If you look at what has happened in the past, groups come in at the last minute and spend huge amounts of money. We know they are going to come on strong. We’re going to do what it takes to get to the finish. If voters look at where the information is coming from, they are going to see through what Penn National is trying to do.”
Television advertising has been the main medium that the two camps have funneled their campaign money in.