Three of the state's biggest ski resorts are joining the effort to defeat a proposed casino in western Maine, saying a casino would detract from the state's image as a family-friendly place to enjoy the outdoors.

Sunday River, Sugarloaf USA and Saddleback all announced their opposition to the casino today. Sunday River is the only one in Oxford County, where the $150 million casino would be built if state voters give their approval on Nov. 4.

Dana Bullen, general manager of Sunday River, told workers in a memo that the casino would be incompatible with Maine's "brand."

"Maine is known for its rugged outdoor image, uncompromised natural beauty, family-friendly environment and Yankee originality," he wrote. "There is a stark contrast between these attributes, for which Maine is known, and those associated with casino gambling."

Warren Cook from Saddleback expressed a similar sentiment. "A gambling casino doesn't play to our strengths, it preys on our weaknesses," he said.

Both Sunday River and Sugarloaf USA are owned by Michigan-based Boyne Resorts, and Sunday River plans to contribute to the effort to defeat the casino. While Saddleback opposes the casino, it has no plan to put money into the effort, Cook said.

Casino supporters say the casino, which includes a 125-bed hotel, would create 800 jobs that would pay $12,000 more per year than the $24,000 average annual salary in the county. Also, it would bring to state coffers $50 million in the first year of operation, they say.

Supporters were releasing an economic analysis on Wednesday at a news conference in Lewiston to provide greater details on the impact of the casino. Supporters also plan to announce the location of the proposed casino later this week.