A report issued to the Maine legislature by WhiteSand Gaming concludes that the state could absorb one and maybe two more casinos without the state becoming saturated with too much gaming.
According to the 138-page report commissioned by lawmakers, for which they paid $110,000: “We believe there is additional capacity for casino gaming in Maine as part of an integrated dining and entertainment offering, consistent with its existing brand and image.”
The New Jersey-based company recommends a competitive bidding process for the next casinos, rather than the somewhat haphazard way the state has welcomed casinos so far. It identifies the state’s southern beaches as being the ideal location for a larger casino but also suggests a smaller casino would fit in the state’s border with Canada.
It also recommends that all casinos pay a 35 percent rate of slots income and 16 percent of gaming table income. This would increase the state’s take from $53.2 million annually to $67 million.
However, it urges the state to offer less expensive license fees that most states charge, arguing for a license fee of $5 million.
The report describes one of the state’s two casinos, Oxford Casino, as offering “the minimum in terms of facilities required for a gaming operation. Featuring a multitude of games, both slot machines and tables, the facility lacks anything beyond a two-meal restaurant and sandwich bar.”
It also criticizes the state’s first casino, the Hollywood Casino in Bangor: “although featuring additional amenities including hotel and expanded food and beverage offerings, lacks a ‘sense of place,’ so although it supports other activities, it does so in a non-distinct way that could be improved upon.”
State Senator John Patrick, whose district includes the Oxford Casino, and who is a member of the committee, commented, “Promises made, promises not delivered. That’s the sour taste that, whenever you’re dealing with gaming entities, you’re going to get.”
