BANGOR – The Portland- based anti-gambling group CasinosNo! has challenged Penn National Gaming to a verbal duel over the share of slot machine revenue endorsed by a Legislative committee.

However, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania-based gaming and racing company said thanks, but no thanks.

Penn National is the designated developer of a racetrack-casino proposed for Bangor Raceway. The project would involve bringing up to 1,500 slot machines to the city-owned track located in Bass Park.

Under a plan endorsed by the Legal and Veteran Affairs Committee, the Pennsylvania-based gaming and racing operator would get 61 percent of the slot-machine revenues. Penn National, however, contends that given Maine’s relatively small market, it needs to retain at least 63 percent of the proceeds to remain profitable.

How slots revenues will be split is part of the racino bill that the full Legislature will debate in the next few weeks.

CasinosNo! threw down the challenge late Wednesday, a day after a Penn National official questioned the objectivity and accuracy of Maryland analyst Paul Hooke’s remarks about Penn’s efforts to persuade lawmakers to allow it to retain the 63 percent it claims it needs.

Hooke, a former investment banker who has studied racinos in other states and written books on securities law, says Penn National would make a healthy profit with as little as 43 percent of slot revenues. Hooke called Penn National’s request “excessive.”

Bailey said Penn National should “welcome the opportunity to explain their side to the public in an open debate. … Let’s see if the gamblers are willing to put their cards on the table.”

Penn National spokesman Eric Schippers said the company is not interested in a debate with CasinosNo!

“Dennis Bailey is stooping to the oldest political trick in the book with this latest publicity stunt and we’re simply not going to fall for it,” Schippers said. “The Legislature is in the process of thoroughly debating this issue, and we believe that is the proper forum.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Legislature on this issue and trust they will be able to decipher the true economic realities involving this project from the anti-gaming rhetoric of Dennis Bailey and his new friend from Maryland,” Schippers said.

Bailey said Thursday he was not surprised Penn declined the offer to a debate at a time and place of Penn’s choosing.

“No, not at all. With these guys, you shine the light on them and they all scatter,” he said. “The last thing they want is for the facts to come out. That would hurt their case.”

Penn officials reportedly called Hooke a “well-known anti-casino advocate … pretending to be independent.”

Bailey maintains Hooke is not opposed to gambling.

“He doesn’t like seeing states get taken by greedy corporations, particularly when it comes to licensing gambling operations,” he said. “Gambling licenses are extremely valuable commodities and states should insist on getting a fair price. In Maine’s case, it appears we’re getting taken.”