Casino plan passes hurdle

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    AUGUSTA, Maine — A proposed casino in Houlton for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians passed its first hurdle last week when members of the state’s House of Representatives gave early approval to expand gambling in the state.    Sponsored by Henry John Bear, Maliseet tribal representative to the Maine Legislature, L.D. 1298 is “an act to authorize the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to operate a casino in Aroostook County.” The bill will now be heard on the floor of the Senate, possibly as early as Wednesday.
The Maliseets’ proposal is one of three gambling bills being discussed in Augusta. The Passamaquoddy Tribe hopes to operate a casino in Washington County, while a third bill seeks to let other tribes start high-stakes electronic beano games in the state.
Should the Houlton casino pass through the Maine Legislature, an Aroostook County referendum would be held to see if residents support or reject the concept. No referendum will be held for the Washington County casino.
Dubbed the Aroostook Gateway Casino, the bill is the culmination of several years’ work by the tribe. Down the road, tribal members would like to create a “resort destination,” complete with a hotel and restaurant on the premises. Initially, however, the focus is solely on the gaming facility.
Supporters of the proposals say the tribes need casinos to bring jobs and economic development to their communities. Those in opposition to the Houlton casino have previously stated it would not likely generate new revenue for the state and instead would “cannibalize” revenues from the existing casinos in Bangor and Oxford Hills.
The HBMI casino would initially bring about 100 full- and part-time jobs to the area and has the potential for hundreds more. The Maliseets would like to build their casino on tribal-owned land on the North Road. The Tribe owns 52 acres of land in a commercial zone, across the street from the Tractor Supply Company.
According to John Bear, Gov. Paul LePage recently visited the Maliseets’ proposed casino site, met with Tribal Chief Brenda Commander and the Tribal Council, and publicly committed himself to signing the Maliseet tribal gaming bill if it reachd his desk.
“Thereafter, the question will be put to the voters and will appear on the November ballot for an Aroostook county-wide referendum for acceptance or rejection,” he said.