Penn Receives Maine Slot License

AUGUSTA, Maine – As reported by the Portland Press Herald: "Penn National Gaming received Maine's first license to operate slot machines Thursday, but concerns over corporate privacy will require lawmakers to step in before the first reels can spin.

"The unanimous approval of a conditional license by the Maine Gambling Control Board came exactly one year after voters legalized slots at Maine's two commercial harness-racing tracks. The license is the latest step in a lengthy regulatory process leading up to a so-called racino opening at Bangor Raceway.

"…The conditional license allows the board to oversee Penn National's operations at the raceway while giving the company further confidence it will be allowed to operate 1,500 slots there. Penn National plans to start construction at the raceway next spring and open the racino by mid-2006.

"The company cannot bring a slot machine into the state, or operate them here, until the conditional license becomes permanent. That cannot happen, however, until Penn National and the board resolve how to keep private certain information that the company plans to provide to regulators.

"…So both sides will ask the Legislature to resolve the sticking point when the new legislative session convenes this winter

"…The racino is expected to give the city of Bangor and the harness racing industry an economic boost…"