Politics of gaming displayed in Bangor

A business person coming to Maine, willing to invest capital and employ people, was blackballed by many before he could even explain the potential benefits of his business plan. It was not with open minds and open hearts that Shawn Scott, his family and Capital Seven were received by the people of Maine.

Maybe it was because they were trying to bring slot machines, another form of entertainment, to Maine’s struggling harness racing industry. A racino may have been at the core of the initial cold reception, but now competing gaming companies and others with an opposing agenda have added to the political game.

Even though a racino does not prey on people by pushing consumer debt, the No. 1 reason for personal bankruptcy, nor does it sell illusions of wealth one ticket at a time, the racino is under attack. To dispel some myths, a racino is a harness racetrack with slot machines and it offers a popular form of entertainment to people who have travel and entertainment dollars and are predominantly female, over 50 years of age.

About two years ago, Scott came to Maine and purchased an ownership position in Bangor Historic Track and with the due diligence of Pierce Atwood, a prominent law firm in Portland, and its associates, including Bob Baldacci, Capital Seven’s $30 million proposal for Bass Park had credibility. Bud Cianchette, also an early booster of the project, spoke to how this could not only help Bangor Raceway but it could help the distressed harness racing industry.

Capital Seven moved quickly to employ people in Maine to gather citizen signatures on a petition to allow the issue to go to a referendum.

Just prior to the June 10 vote in Bangor, the attorney general’s investigation of Scott and Capital Seven hit the Bangor Daily News’ front page three days in a row. As it turned out, Scott and Capital Seven had been compliant and had furnished everything that was requested. The trial in the court of public opinion with the “elitist” and all necessary media spin was fully in place. In spite of the public assault, Capital Seven financed and worked relentlessly to win the campaign in Bangor. After the Bangor win, other gaming companies started to look at Capital Seven’s project.

Then came the big push – Capital Seven launched its statewide campaign known as Q.2 and even though the polls were showing popular support for the project, certain “powers that be” were working diligently to undermine Capital Seven’s efforts.

Several days earlier, Capital Seven had been in discussions with Scarborough Downs, because Scarborough Downs would have the same opportunity as Bangor Historic Track and Capital Seven wanted to be its developer and gaming company. In confidence, Capital Seven shared its business plans and political strategies if the voters of Scarborough failed to support the project.

Given that Capital Seven had diligently worked to put forth and complete the first harness racing agreement in Maine and had spent considerable resources to help Scarborough Downs, the expectation was that Scarborough Downs was negotiating in good faith. Unfortunately, that was not the case, hence the entrance of Penn National.

Needless to say, a lot is at stake on this gaming issue. Not only has the state of Maine had an ax to grind, but other gaming companies, Kehl and Penn National, have tried to sneak in under the wire to knock out Capital Seven.

The politics may be ugly, but Scott and Capital Seven brought this opportunity to the city of Bangor and the state; to let other gaming companies take them out because of political games would be wrong.

Fortunately, most people in Maine, including those who don’t want a similar project in their own back yard, are supportive of the Bangor project as was indicated by the Nov. 4 referendum. Even though some people don’t want to agree, voters clearly approved Q.2 with all of its special earmarks including revenues for the harness racing industry, agricultural fairs, prescription drug cost relief and scholarships.

Yes, it is with great public benefit that the Bangor project moves forward. If the politics can be kept in check, then the will of the people can prevail.

David S. Nealley is executive vice president of Capital Seven and a member of the Bangor City Council.