A new group has formed to oppose a November ballot question that would legalize a casino in Oxford County.
According to a release sent out today, the “Citizens Against the Oxford Casino” group includes Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township, the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs, the Maine Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association, the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association and the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
“What this boils down to is that Question 1 on this November’s ballot is a bad deal for Maine,” said Dan Cashman, spokesman for the group. “Proponents of Question 1 will talk about the promise of jobs and investment, but when you closely look at the proposal, the cons far outweigh the pros. We look forward to having a conversation with Mainers over the next several months to outline our concerns and explain why Question 1 would simply be a bad deal for Maine.”
The group includes several businesses and organizations that could be seen as competition for such an enterprise in Oxford County – directly, or indirectly.
Gambling income from Hollywood Slots goes to a number of different groups, as spelled out by the legislation that allowed the racino in Maine. Out of its “net proceeds,” 39 percent goes to the state, generating more than $17 million in 2008. More than half of the state’s money goes to harness racing purse supplements, the Sire Stakes Fund, agricultural fairs, and promotion or stabilization of harness racing tracks and off-track betting establishments. Eighteen percent of the net proceeds go toward Maine’s general fund, the Fund for a Healthy Maine, scholarships to Maine’s public colleges and universities, and the city of Bangor.
According to earlier information put out by the group supporting the casino proposal, an Oxford County enterprise would put 46 percent of net proceeds to specific uses, including 1 percent to the Maine Dairy Farm Stabilization Fund, 1 percent to the Maine Agriculture Fair Support Fund, 1 percent to the Maine Sire Stakes Fund and 1 percent to the Maine Harness Racing Purse Fund. The rest of the proceeds would go to fund education, local government and Maine’s Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribes.
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