Just 30 minutes from North Windham, positioned unassumingly in a field across the road from a small farm, sits Maine’s newest house of gaming. The distinctive sign strategically placed beside Route 26 welcomes visitors and likely contributors to the Oxford Casino.
Unlike the bright lights, towering buildings and flashing signs of Las Vegas, the comparatively subtleness of the casino in Oxford is striking. The unsuspecting motorists traveling along one of Maine’s quintessential rural highways suddenly find themselves alongside a large, well-appointed parking lot aproned around the single-building casino that is tucked well back from the road.
The Oxford Casino was designed for convenience by attracting patrons who enjoy spending only a few hours gambling and then leaving, as compared to Foxwoods and Mohegan, for example, that are marketed as overnight destinations. One retired teacher told me that once a week she travels from her Gorham home at 6 a.m., plays her favorite slot machine, has breakfast and then goes home. Who says retirement isn’t exciting.
My few visits to this new establishment have been interesting experiences filled with curiosity and anticipation, but as expected, not profitable. The first impression of the casino upon entering the building is the uniformed security officer who is standing behind a podium observing and welcoming all incoming patrons and checking identifications, if necessary.
I approached the officer and said, “Can I just give you my $50 now or do I need to go in and spend whatever time it takes to lose it?”
He laughed and wished me luck. The likelihood of winning is minimal, but you never know and that’s part of the fun. Actually, I was more interested in observing the highs and lows of human behavior as players of every size, shape and age tried their luck at some of the 814 slot machines and 22 table games.
Once inside, watching the contrasting emotions of player excitement and frustration is intriguing. Based on my unscientific observations during my visits, the average age of the players was mid-60s, with many well into the 70s and 80s, and with no shortage of oxygen tubes and motorized carts.
There are “do’s and don’ts” that are considered sacred in the gambling culture – some written, some not.
First lesson – don’t mess with the serious senior citizen who is hell-bent on playing her favorite slot machine. I witnessed a determined lady – she had to be at least 80 – sitting at the “Golden Goddess” slot machine wearing a blue headband used to control her just-woke-up tangled hair, brandishing two matching wristbands, and a T-shirt with the words, “Don’t Mess With Grandma.”
She used one hand to manipulate the slot machine buttons (most newer slots have buttons versus the old “one-arm bandits”) at a blinding pace while eating a chicken sandwich with the other hand. An anti-Bloomberg oversize container of Mountain Dew could be seen nestled in her lap with the straw positioned to allow easy access by slightly leaning forward for a sip while continuing to push the buttons and chewing her chicken as fast as the slot’s spinning numbers.
Everyone is either playing or roaming the casino searching for the next “lucky” game. It’s an atmosphere of friendly gamblers, friendly staff, and an occasional celebratory yell from an excited winner.
The only contrast to the overall positive mood is the less-than-customer-friendly “pit bosses.” These people are essentially supervisors who oversee the gaming tables like “Let It Ride,” and “Blackjack.” They understandably consider their jobs to be very important; however, some seem to take themselves way too seriously. Fortunately, their direct contact with the players is minimal.
Every casino has what is called the “eye in the sky,” which are cameras discreetly and strategically placed above the gaming areas for the purposes of watching and recording the players, dealers, staff and all activities in the entire gaming area.
A scene from the movie, “Casino” gives a good description of the “watching game,” especially pertaining to larger casinos. “The dealers are watching the players, the boxmen are watching the dealers, the floormen are watching the boxmen, the pit bosses are watching the floormen, the shift bosses are watching the pit bosses and the ‘eye in the sky’ is watching everyone.” Nothing goes unnoticed or unwatched, including “Grandma.”
The Oxford Casino has been far more successful than expected, breaking revenue records each month. In March 2013, the net revenue from the slot machines alone was more than $5.3 million, thanks to the head-banded, senior warrior and thousands more like her. In the first seven months of operation, the casino paid more than $14.8 million in taxes alone.
As the character “Ace” Rothstein said in the same movie “Casino” when describing gambling operations, “ We’re in the business of selling dreams for cash.”
Like many gaming establishments, the Oxford Casino can be exciting and entertaining if you can afford it, but remember, like all entertainment, you will pay.
Bill Diamond of Windham served as District 12’s senator from 2004-2012, and is also a former Maine secretary of state.
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