Yesterday, while in Bangor, I had the opportunity to read Question #1 on the November ballot. This is the Question regarding the proposed casino in western Maine. As with all things, there are good aspects and bad (notwithstanding the gambling issue with which I have no problem).
I will admit that, prior to reading the entire proposition, I was inclined to vote for the casino. I have changed my mind.
The following are the reasons Why:
1. For all of the television ads about the immediate construction jobs the project would bring, once the casino is built, those jobs are gone. So those jobs are not a selling point.
2. Yes, the casino would provide several permanent jobs - but only for that immediate area. Not for any other areas in the state.
3. That casino would have table games (roulette, black jack, craps, etc.) which I think is great. I'm no fan of slots. Personally, having a "relationship" with a machine that is, in fact, programmed to pay off even on a random basis is no relationship. It just makes for a dead butt. I like sitting or standing around with other people and playing, whether it's cards or watching the spin of a roulette ball - not that I play often or expect to win, but I have on occasion. But the relationship, though temporary, with the people can be fun and enjoyable.
4. And there is a fair amount of pay back to the state defined in the proposal.
There is a set formula for net proceeds from the slot machines as well as a separate formula from the table games (lower percentage from the table games than the percentage from the slot machines - about 16% and 46% respectively).
From the slot machines, about 23 percent of the proceeds goes to SUPPLEMENT (not supplant which is important) K-12 public education. Less goes to the UofM system. Less goes to the Community College system. Even 4 percent goes to the Penobscot and Passamaquody tribes. Harness Racing gets into the act, too, with proceeds from the slot machine.
Sounds good so far, doesn't it?
But there is always a hook. The hook is that passage of Question #1 also locks in a provision that table games will not ever be allowed at any other location in the state. That means no table games ever at Hollywood Slots. No table games at any other casino that might ever be approved anywhere else in the state.
AND, there are requirements and restrictions regarding any other casino that might ever be built that it is easy to see, the intent is to make sure none will ever be allowed anywhere in the state that might be in competition with the one being proposed for western Maine. NOT GOOD for any Indian Nation that wants to have a casino built on their lands. NOT GOOD for any group that might want one in northern or coastal Maine that might attract the tourist ships coming into port.
One more time this is a case of "I'm getting mine but I'm making sure no one else will ever get theirs."How can this casino, even a four season resort casino, located in one county in western Maine be good for the entire state when it locks up all other future opportunities for the rest of the state?
I don't have a problem with quality resorts that provide casinos. I do have a problem with greedy people.
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