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Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Legislators propose gambling-law changes
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AUGUSTA — Lawmakers looked at a range of new gambling rules Monday, from how much someone can lose at a slot machine to the set-up of a charity Texas Hold'em game. Most of the proposals would place new limits on gambling in Maine. Included were changes in how the state would divide revenue from slot machines authorized for the Bangor Raceway. The bills drew the praise and ire of a number of people on both sides of the gambling debate during a lengthy hearing before the Legislature's Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee. Owners of off-track betting parlors fought legislation that could decrease, or even eliminate, their cut of the revenue from 1,500 slots scheduled for Bangor Raceway. They say their parlors have helped keep harness racing going in Maine by sharing revenue with breeders, racetracks and agricultural fairs. Now it is only fair for them to get a portion of money from the slots as established in current law. "We are as much a part of this industry," said Peter Martin, owner of John Martin's Manor in Waterville, a restaurant and OTB parlor. But state Rep. Randy Hotham, R-Dixfield, referred to the projected $1.6 million the state's five OTBs would get annually as a subsidy. His bill would make them prove their need for the money. Any money the businesses don't need would go to a state program to help seniors buy prescription drugs. Senate Majority Leader Michael Brennan, D-Portland, went a step further with his bill and called for the OTBs to be cut out completely. He wants their share to help pay for gambling regulation and college scholarships. "I am presenting this bill because it is the fair thing to do," said Brennan, who believes the state should not subsidize OTBs. The fight over gambling went beyond the Bangor racino. Lawmakers pushed for changes in the state's gaming laws so non-profit groups and Maine's Indian tribes can hold Texas Hold'em tournaments. The card game, supporters said, is wildly popular, but current law restricts groups from taking advantage of the interest. Lawmakers also planned to look at allowing video gambling for nonprofit groups. Many clubs have these games now, but state law forbids them from giving anything more than a free turn if a player wins. Committee Co-chairman Rep. John Patrick, D-Rumford, withdrew the proposal because of the cost of setting up a system to regulate these games. He plans to wait for the Bangor racino to start before reconsidering the idea. While some bills heard Monday allowed for more gambling in the state, others would create new restrictions. They include a $300 limit on how much a person could lose at slot machines in a 24-hour period and a 1 a.m. closing time for a racino. "If bars have to close at 1 a.m. because it would otherwise encourage inappropriate behavior, then certainly racinos should be closed then as well," said House Majority Leader Glenn Cummings, D-Portland. But these proposals, as well as the bills addressing OTBs, were seen by some in the harness-racing industry as an attempt to cripple the Bangor Raceway racino due to open next year. They questioned why changes are being proposed before regulations even go into effect. "Having failed at the ballot box, the state's anti-gaming interests seem to have reverted to a strategy of death by a thousand cuts," said Steven Snyder, senior vice president for Penn National Gaming, operator of Bangor Raceway. Staff Writer Mark Peters can be contacted at 623-1031 or at: mpeters@pressherald.com
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