Here they go again—slots are taking the forefront in debate in yet another state. Now it is Maine where gambling is being debated. A few short years ago the state believed that it could ban slot machine gambling altogether. It seemed like a cure all in that without legalized gambling, there would be no further problems to overcome. Unfortunately, the state experienced what many other states did: if people want to gamble, they will find placed to do it—either legally or illegally. The 2007 objective of Maine’s legislators to ban gambling fell short drastically. That is proven with the prevalence of slot machine gambling in 2010 throughout the state. There are still opponents though. The organization “No Slots for Me!” is still pining for its chance to be heard by legislators. The group has been instrumental in decrying gambling. So far it is still making a push to put the slot machine issue on the ballot in the November 2010 vote. Thus far the group has over 55,000 signatures from residents of the state who don’t want gambling. A study has shown that 55,000 makes up about10% of the gubernatorial vote. Though that may seem like a sliver of the population, in reality it is a good chunk of the voting public. In addition, consider the amount of people who don’t vote at all and it could considerably turn a candidate for the position of governor to an anti-gambling stance.

So far the state of Maine is debating out the issue through advertising and promotions. The sides are determined to have their positions heard and are hoping the right legislators hear their calls. If the “No Slots for Me!” initiative can gain momentum it just may be a true entity to reckon with coming November. There are still legislators who believe that gambling would be a bad move for the state and believe that without some hard-hitting opposition, it could be adopted. They believe it would inevitably bring an increase in crime, corruption, money laundering and overall addictions. Only time will tell how far this issue goes in the state of Maine, but it is surely not an issue that is going to die anytime soon without a definitive solution being introduced in coming months.

The state of Maine is another state looking for financial help. Hollywood Slots General Manager John Osborne believes that adding table games like power and roulette would funnel more cash to struggling state coffers and create up to 180 new jobs for the local economy.  Osborne is requesting that lawmakers authorize table games for the Bangor racetrack and casino. Osborne says even without another gambling facility in Maine or an expansion of state lottery games, Hollywood Slots is having trouble competing with casinos in southern New England because it doesn’t offer table games like poker and roulette. 

Currently the facility is using slots as its only money generating activity. Unfortunately they aren’t proving to be as lucrative as they have been for other states. It’s an oddity in the market because normally slots are a sure-fire way to bring in funds. Osborne said, “One of the difficulties we have in our environment is we really don’t have a lot of people with a high household income.  So when you look at some of these other jurisdictions, you’re sitting with several million people within 60 to 90 minutes of that location with household incomes that are 50 to 60 percent higher than what we have in Bangor.”

Osborne estimates that table games would generate approximately $8 million in revenue and result in 170 to 180 new jobs. Allowing the facility to add table games is among a menu of gambling options the panel is considering, including expanding the state lottery to include the mega-millions game and adding a keno game. In all, the committee is looking at options that could bring in up to $8 million to help balance the state budget. The state is like others throughout the nation. It is having problems making its budget and suffering with a huge deficit. The recession did a lot to hamper legislators from making ends meet. Most states are looking to some form of gambling to help build up funds. They are trying to avoid having to make huge budget cutbacks and eliminate government programs. Overall slots were the key to funding many state’s coffers, but Maine is proving to have a problem with solely relying on them. It is going to be a creative combination of gambling that is going to make it possible for the state to meet its budgetary needs in 2010.

The state of Maine is joining in the slot debate. Slots are a tool being used all over the country to generate revenue. It’s interesting to see the hopes that legislators are putting on slot machine gaming. They are hoping that the machines are influential enough to bring in thousands of new players and, in turn, millions of dollars in tax-revenue dollars. Since the recession, many cities have struggled. Their deficits are huge and the ways to bring in money are not enough to handle overwhelming debt and budget funding. Almost every state wants to use slots to bring in money and almost every state has some plan to implement them.

Now Maine is one of the latest states to move into the world of slots gaming. Operators have been trying to get a new style of slot machine approved. Hollywood Slots Parlor in Bangor, Maine recently requested the approval to use a new type of “hosted” slot machine. The game looks like a slots or table game, but is a little different. Maine’s operators had asked Maine’s Gambling Control Board for approval of the new slot machine, but the board said that they thought it needed to go to the state as a request for expanding gambling. The casino maintains that they should need an additional request for expanded gambling since the game is an already approved type of slots game.

The crux of the issue however is the fact that the Gambling Control Board disagrees that the games are like other games already approved for running in the state. Opponents say that the casino is trying to sneak in table games and that only slot machines were approved at their location. The new games look like slot machines in that they were electronic, but other than that, they are very similar to table games. The Gambling Board decided that more information is needed before they can make a formal decision on the issue. It will take time though and the state of Maine’s legislators are hoping that the decision is a good one. They are hoping that enough money is brought in to aid the huge deficit and fund programs for 2010 and 2011 financial years.

The Maine Gambling Control Board debated over Hollywood Slots’ request for new types of sot machines recently. Unfortunately for the casino, the decision as to whether or not they can have the new machines has been put off again. The Gambling Control Board is requesting additional information regarding the change before they will make a decision. The slots casino and racetrack is looking to bring “hosted” slot machines to the facility. Hosted means that the machines will be automated but rather than players placing their coins into the machine, a host of the casino will handle the actual transaction.

The “new” machines the casino wants to bring in are a hybrid of the standard slot machine and casino table games found in Las Vegas. They are akin to blackjack and poker table-style games. The Gambling Control Board said that the machines do not fit in with existing state law regarding style. That makes them exempt from being legal within the state.  George McHale, Board Chairman, said that the law does not enforce who needs to put money into machines– the customer or a host– for it to be legitimate. Therefore, there is no reason to deny the request. There is a strong force that does not agree with his statement.

Some board members consider the machines to be outside of the acceptable range of slot machines. Part of the reason is that the games can accomodate a multiple number of players- up to five at the same time. Despite the multi-player capability, players would still be playing against the machine and not each other. The question is whether or not the new slots are “card games.” Many board members stated that they would be more relaxed if the state legislature and Veterans Affairs Committee made the determination. Part of the issue is board officials are not definite on whose responsibility the approval is predicated on. Some believe the state should step in, whereas others believe the Gambling Control Board has the authority to decide.

Hollywood Casino is expected to keep the number of slot machines the same, but switch out the newer machines. The newer ones are anticipated to be more lucrative and popular with the gambling public. The Gaming Board requested more time in making a decision and may even push it off on the state. Until then Hollywood Casino is left hanging on whether or not they can reorganize to make more money.

Hollywood Slots is a slots and racetrack located in Maine. It is a huge facility that boasts many amenities for the discerning gambler and race lover. Right now the casino has over 1,000 slots machines and wager requirements range from 1¢ to $10. Any bankroll is welcome and anyone can find the right amount to spend at this casino. The slots parlor is huge and brings some of the best gaming to the city.  In addition, there is a hefty racetrack to enjoy. The excitement of live harness racing is unparalleled and will begin in April of next year. Overall it’s a great racino to enjoy slots gambling and racetrack betting.

The facility however is petitioning Maine’s Gambling Control Board to allow more slot machines to be installed. The racino wants to capitalize on the revenues that slots bring in and use it to further expansion and promotions for customers. The Control Board is not cooperating though. The board says that the addition of slot machines require legislative approval and therefore need to be on hold.

Hollywood Slots is trying to argue that they aren’t really trying to expand, but rather just get the ok to swap out current less-profitable machines for more lucrative ones. They are stating that the move is merely an improvement, rather than an all-out expansion. It will increase the players and the amount of funds being borught in as a way to meet their growing visitor need. There are many different types of machines and some are just not as lucrative as others. The varied machine floorplan is a way for every racino to capitalize on the different preferences people have in terms of gaming.

The key issue in the debate is whether or not the decision really needs to go before the state government or if the Gambling Control Board has the authority to approve the change. Hollywood Slots does not believe their proposed alteration of games warrants state approval. The board however feels differently. They believe that the changes aren’t “equitable.” Meaning that the request by Hollywood Slots is not to just swap out machines, but rather it is meant to change one style of machine for a completely different one. The racino is requesting that new card game slot machines be installed. These in themselves are illegal in the state and do not comply with the state’s laws. 

In Bangor, Maine the debate over slot machine parlors is in full swing. As of late the Hollywood Slots company wants to add a new type of slot machine. Seems somewhat harmless but the state’s Gambling Control board has been dragging its feet on whether or not to allow the slot machine into the market. The new slot machine is referred to as a “hosted” slot machine. That just means that it mimics table card games although technically it operates like a slot machine with a random number generator.

The new machines are still automated but instead of putting money into slots, customers sit around a table like they would playing blackjack or poker, and a casino employee puts the money in for them. They have a dealer of sorts so the overall feel of the game is more “gambling” than it is “slots.” To add to confusion, a lot of the debate over whether or not they fall into the category of “slot game” is dependent on the individual’s perception.

The Gambling Control Board last week put off making a decision. Some board members said the machine technically meets Maine’s definition of a slot machine, but others said it feels more like a card game, which is not legal. After debate, the board agreed to revisit the matter in December after gathering more information. The debate will rage and comes down to how the legislators perceive the machine. If it is a slots machine it should have no problem being legalized. However if it is a card game, then Hollywood Slots can expect to have a pretty big problem on its hands trying to convince legislators otherwise.

As municipalities move through the legalization process, more and more debates will rage. As of yet the UIGEA still does not define what exactly gambling is. This is creating many problems for states and cities that are now left to define things such as “what is a slots game” and “what is legal” for themselves. The disparity in a uniform decision could prove to be a bigger problem down the road.  Only time will tell whether or not Bangor, Maine will allow the new slots to enter the market and how they will eventually define “slot machine.”