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Friday, July 30, 2004
Developer sets 2006 start date for slots
Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||||||
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AUGUSTA — Slot machines at Bangor Raceway would not start spinning and flashing until 2006 under a timeline that would-be operator Penn National Gaming laid out Thursday. Since slots were legalized in November, the Pennsylvania-based gaming company has been telling potential players, state officials and the harness racing community that Maine's first racino will take time to develop. It provided details on the length of the wait at a meeting of the Governor's Gambling Control Advisory Council. Penn National projects that it will be spring before it starts constructing a building near the raceway to house 1,500 slot machines. Factors working against an earlier start, the company said, include the need to get local approval for the project and the length and severity of Bangor winters. Once work begins, Penn National will need nine months to a year for construction. This schedule sets up an opening date in early 2006, Steven T. Snyder, a senior vice president with Penn National, told the advisory council. Snyder ruled out establishing a temporary location for a limited number of slot machines while the new building is erected. He said the company was unable to find an appropriate spot near the track and would rather launch the racino in a new, first-class facility. "Do it right the first time. That is what we intend to do," Snyder said. The development means state programs, the harness racing industry and the city of Bangor will have to wait longer than expected to get revenue from the slots. A state law, which voters passed last fall in a statewide referendum, allows slots at commercial racetracks, but requires a portion of the wagers to go to a variety of funds, including health care, college scholarships and harness racing purses. Penn National officials said its timetable recognizes the complexities of trying to start up a new, highly regulated industry. Snyder complimented the work of the advisory council, adding that even if its five members write slot regulations and issue Penn National a license by a Sept. 30 deadline, the company still faces several more hurdles. The company, for example, must get local approval from the City Council and Planning Board, and the state must license the slot machine distributor and manufacturer. Other parties seemed to understand the need for a later-than-expected start. "I don't want people to get hung up on the date. . . . Everyone is working as hard as they can," said Bangor City Solicitor Norman S. Heitmann III. Bill Hathaway of the Maine Harness Horseman's Association said he understood why Penn National had set a 2006 opening date, but encouraged the advisory council to focus more on issues such as site specifications so the gaming company can start designing its new building and applying for local approval. State Rep. Randy Hotham, R-Dixfield, questioned Penn National's decision to hold off on slot machines until a new facility is built. He said the state Legislature worked hard to put in place a process to get the slots up and running as soon as possible, and Penn National should respond by pursuing a temporary facility. Voters approved slot machines at the state's harness-racing tracks if residents in host communities allowed them. Bangor voters backed slots in their city. A similar measure failed in communities surrounding Maine's other commercial harness racing track, Scarborough Downs. Staff Writer Mark Peters can be contacted at 791-6325 or at: mpeters@pressherald.com
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