Casino and racino supporters offer optimistic estimates of the economic benefits of their respective legalized gambling facilities. Regardless of the accuracy of their claims, the real prime product of these businesses is not a bonanza of jobs, statewide tax relief, salvation of harness racing or creation of a legion of millionaire owners, operators and players.

The overwhelming output is an endless stream of losers – losers to pay for the profits of the out-of-state promoters; losers to pay the promised salaries of the employees in those coveted jobs; losers to pay the big bucks to the lucky winners; losers to pay the state’s paltry share of the river of cash – whose only source is losers’ pockets.

Can anyone believe the bulk of these losers would be high-rolling jet-setters and swarms of other players “from away”? Most of the losers would be the same Mainers and their families, friends and neighbors who are aching for jobs, lower taxes and golden winnings.

Condemnation of gambling doesn’t have to be based on religious dogma. My moral objection is to causing the proliferation of losers. I’m voting no.

Bill Soule

Orono