Maine coalition says ‘no dice’ on gambling proposal

Glenn Adams

Thursday, Sept. 21, 2000 | 5:20 a.m.

AUGUSTA, Maine - A coalition that includes several legislators, business leaders and a former governor Thursday announced its opposition to the video gambling proposal on the Nov. 7 referendum ballot.

No Dice Coalition spokesman Terry Garmey said the initiated proposal, if approved by voters, will provide a gambling monopoly to Scarborough Downs race track, where 1,500 video gaming machines would be allowed.

Garmey, a Portland lawyer, also told a Portland news conference that the proposal would allow the largest unregulated gambling operation in the United States.

"A law that would provide a gambling monopoly to the owners of Scarborough Downs should not have been written on the back of a cocktail napkin by the very people who will make millions by its passage," said Garmey.

Garmey said opponents, who expect to be outspent in the weeks leading up to the election, plan an aggressive grassroots campaign. Former Gov. Kenneth Curtis, a Democrat, is honorary chairman of the new coalition, and former state police chief Alfred Skolfield is a member.

It also includes several lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Thomas Murphy Jr., R-Kennebunk, and Sen. Peter Mills, R-Skowhegan.

The Maine Municipal Association's executive committee has separately taken a stand against the measure, and last week Gov. Angus King joined national anti-gambling crusader Rev. Thomas Grey in labeling the proposal as misleading and bad for Maine.

On Thursday, Garmey asked why the bill seeks to limit gambling to Scarborough Downs rather than spreading its "benefits and burdens" to other tracks in the state.

He also contended that Maine is not taking as large a share of the proceeds as other states that allow gambling. Garmey also said there are no controls to make sure Maine will get its full share of the gambling proceeds.

The question asks whether video lottery machines should be allowed at "certain" horse racing tracks if 40 percent of the profits are used for property tax relief. But as the bill is written, it includes only Scarborough Downs.

Pro-casino forces estimate that the gambling machines could generate between $25 million and $40 million for property tax relief in the state.

Supporters, who have formed the Committee for Property Tax Relief, say the proposal would keep some of the gambling money that goes out of state in Maine, while giving new life to the harness racing industry.

George Kerr, spokesman for the committee, said proponents have released data showing projected property tax relief to larger communities. Portland, for example, would receive more than $3 million in 2002, while Lewiston would get nearly $1.8 million, he said.

"We are pleased that a group is finally formed that we can publicly debate with on this issue. We want the facts to come out," Kerr said. "We are, however, disappointed they have decided to begin their campaign with a series of inaccuracies."

He said the video machine operations would be subject to regulation by Maine State Police, and "to suggest otherwise is simply false."