Tribal Online Casino Bill in Maine Fails To Impress House Lawmakers

Article by : Erik Gibbs Apr 15, 2024

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Maine’s House of Representatives on Tuesday defeated a proposed measure to grant exclusive internet gambling rights to Wabanaki tribes in Maine. That makes the only two states seeking approval for online casinos this year – the other being Maryland – reaching the same conclusion.

The proposal was an extension of the tribe’s existing exclusive rights to online sports gambling, which had been initially proposed by the Mills administration and greenlit by lawmakers in the previous legislative session.

However, Representative Laura Supica saw her bill meet resistance in the House, ultimately failing by a narrow margin of 74-71.

Notably, nine Democrats crossed party lines to join the predominantly Republican opposition, with Representative Roger Albert standing as the sole Republican supporter.

Critics of the proposal voiced concerns about its potential ramifications, particularly its exclusion of existing casino operators. Moreover, there were fears of possible job losses within the casino industry, coupled with apprehensions about an uptick in gambling addiction.

Despite projections of generating $100 million for tribes in the forthcoming years, the bill faced significant pushback from both sides of the aisle. Representative David Boyer expressed his willingness to consider internet gaming if it included existing casino operators. Boyer implored his fellow lawmakers to reject the current bill and revisit the issue in the subsequent legislative session.

Boyer had his own reservations, noting that the current approach may not be optimal. While he acknowledged his eagerness for online poker, he stressed the need to consider the broader implications, especially concerning job security in Oxford and Bangor. Additionally, he highlighted the disparity in tax rates between traditional casinos and potential online ventures as a significant concern.

Supporters contended that granting tribes exclusive rights could redress longstanding disparities faced by these communities, often treated as municipalities due to past state agreements resolving land disputes.

Representative Aaron Dana, voicing his support for the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point, emphasized the bill’s economic benefits. Dana highlighted that the tribes would reinvest all new revenue into the local economy, unlike profits sent to out-of-state corporations. Additionally, Dana pointed out the historical exclusion of tribes from previous casino establishment endeavors in the state.

He emphasized the significance of reinvesting revenue within Maine, asserting that tribal members, as citizens of the state, would channel all funds back into local communities. Dana also stressed that this economic empowerment would fortify tribal sovereignty and bolster the well-being of tribal members.

Supica, representing Hollywood Casino and Hotel in her district, urged fellow lawmakers to endorse the bill, pointing out its exclusive benefits for tribes. Supica also acknowledged concerns about its exclusivity but affirmed her wholehearted support, viewing it as an opportunity to rectify past gaming laws in Maine.

According to Supica, the initiative could yield $100 million over the next five years. The taxes collected would be allocated to various essential services, including emergency 9-1-1 systems, housing assistance, and programs addressing gambling addiction.