Gaming briefs for June 12, 2003

Thursday, June 12, 2003 | 11:33 a.m.

Legislature, governor fighting over off-track slots

AUGUSTA, Maine -- The Maine Legislature overwhelmingly approved a bill Wednesday night to allow slot machines in the state's five off-track betting centers.

The House voted 112-29 in favor of the bill, and the Senate followed with a 24-6 vote. The margins are meaningful because they are large enough to override a veto by Gov. John Baldacci, who has vowed to try to shoot down the bill.

The bill was introduced by the harness racing industry, which views slot machines as a way to pump new life, and revenue, into the ailing industry.

Baldacci sees slot machines as an impediment to what he considers real economic development in the state.

"I want them to uphold my veto and I hope they respect that we can't have that kind of thing in our state. It's important just to say no," Baldacci said.

Group plans slot campaign

TULSA, Okla. -- The Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association has retained a law firm to draft an initiative petition to allow electronic gambling at state racetracks.

The firm of Scott Mitchell and Associates will help develop a media strategy aimed at voters and the association will hold meetings and fund-raisers statewide for the effort, Debbie Schauf, the association's executive director, told the Tulsa World.

Schauf said the campaign to put the idea to a vote of the people could cost about $2 million.

"The horse industry is a very significant contributor to the state's economy," she said. "It's leaving, it's dying, and we have to have help. We deserve help just as much as all these businesses that they pass tax incentives for."

Association members also would like to get the attention of lawmakers with the campaign, Schauf said.

Religious groups have vowed to fight any expansion of gambling.

A bill that would have allowed Fair Meadows, Remington Park, Blue Ribbon Downs and Will Rogers Downs to operate several hundred electronic gaming machines each passed the Senate this session but not the House.