DOWN EAST CASINO

Opponents of casinos may well disparage the economic impact of gambling as backhoes break ground on a $131 million Hollywood Slots facility in Bangor. But with the presence of this slots facility, approved statewide by voters, the question of gambling’s expansion becomes, as a matter of equity, a local one. The Legislature has understood this political change; the governor should too.

Both the House and Senate have given initial approval to a citizen’s initiative from the Passamaquoddy Tribe that would authorize slot machines at a tribal commercial racetrack in Washington County, a region that has long lagged behind the state economically. The operation would be subject to the same licensing and earnings rules as the Bangor site, with some of the funding going to Washington County scholarships and economic development there.

Gov. Baldacci has promised to veto the bill when it reaches his desk because he does not approve of casinos as a means of economic development and because of the social ills he believes gambling brings. Enough conflicting information about the effects of gambling exists to make many points of view on this legitimate. But it’s worth noting that the Hollywood Slots construction taking place on a single block in Bangor is roughly equal to the entire two-year statewide transportation bond package the governor and the Legislature just approved. The racino has brought substantial construction to Bangor and will bring a substantial number of visitors once the construction is complete.

The Bangor region has served as a pilot project for the question of gambling in Maine and its results show that residents, given a choice among slot machines, high-stakes bingo or the state lottery, prefer slots. Instead of trying to hold off what is already in Maine and is growing nationwide, Gov. Baldacci would do better to use this opportunity to work with the Passamaquoddy Tribe on this issue and to begin preparing for what will become an increasing number of requests for casino sites.

The governor’s alternative is to veto the initiative, a move that could be interpreted as guarding the state’s sole slots franchise, which enriches his hometown. He would ignore the majority of the Legislature, which, after all, is supposed to decide difficult statewide questions, and he would force a referendum. This would put into play a Southern Maine media campaign hell-bent on stopping Down East Maine from operating a casino – reopening a split in Maine that causes more destruction than gambling ever has.

This is a time for statesmanship from Gov. Baldacci, when his personal feelings, however truly held, should yield to the reality that slot machines already are in Maine, are popular and are sought for a commendable reason – to improve the lives in a region long hurt economically.