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Study: Casino would hurt harness racing, lottery

Monday, Jan. 6, 2003 | 9:41 a.m.

PORTLAND, Maine -- A casino in Maine would hurt the state's harness racing industry and shrink lottery revenue, a draft report by the state's casino task force has concluded.

The report also found that Maine lacks an adequate network of social services to assist problem gamblers, according to the Portland Press Herald, which obtained a copy of the report.

Casino supporters and opponents question the document's usefulness for those deciding whether to legalize casino gambling.

Dick Balkite, a pro-casino member of the task force, said an attempt by the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Nation tribes to put the question on a November referendum ballot may mean the Legislature doesn't need the report at all.

The tribes want to build a $650 million casino and resort in southern Maine, but first have to change state law.

The Legislature created the 18-member task force last year to help lawmakers determine how a casino might affect life in Maine.

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