Maine Officials Probe Track Owners

BANGOR, Maine – As reported by the Bangor Daily News: "City officials asked pointed questions and learned a few things about the company expected to assume ownership today of Bangor Historic Track Inc., which operates Bangor Raceway.

"A workshop Monday night presented city councilors their first chance to meet with representatives from Penn National Gaming Inc. since last week's announcement that the company planned to buy Bangor Historic Track from entrepreneur Shawn Scott, who planned to develop a racetrack casino at Bangor Raceway.

"…Perhaps the biggest remaining unknown for Penn National is how much money the state will require for administering slots. The law Mainers adopted Nov. 4 provided that the state receive 25 percent of the slots' gross income (income after payouts to winners) for a range of social and agricultural needs.

"That percentage, however, could change as a result of legislation proposed by the Baldacci administration.

"…Remaining unknowns include how much of the racino's proceeds the state will want to cover its administrative costs and how much, if any, should be shared with other gaming venues, including Maine's five off-track betting facilities…"