Maine voters won’t confront any gambling initiatives on the ballot this fall, but there is every reason to believe that the gaming industry still believes Maine residents and visitors are an under-exploited resource.

Eventually Mainers will again be asked to support a gambling initiative. And proponents are likely to again argue that more gambling would be good for the state. So far, most Maine voters have remained unconvinced, but the presence of Hollywood Slots in Bangor shows that an artfully crafted proposal can win enough support to pass.

In the coming months, the gaming industry will be focusing on the Massachusetts Legislature, trying to reverse last year’s defeat of a bill to establish resort casinos in Boston and other sections of the state.

The revival efforts on Beacon Hill are expected to provoke quite a debate ”“ one worth following in Maine and other states that have not opened the door to extensive gaming action.

Much of the debate in Massachusetts today is about how the political changes have strengthened the hand held by casino supporters. The focus of the battle is the State House, and gambling opponents fear that the ouster of the Mass. House speaker may have turned the tables against them.

But Massachusetts’ approach makes more sense than Maine’s, where the game is for entrepreneurs to put proposals directly before the voters. Maine risks the possibility that poorly considered policies will be voted in; last year’s attempt to allow gaming in Oxford County included a provision lowering the gambling age to 19.

In contrast, Massachusetts will hold legislative hearings to gather information on casino developers and operators. Also, the state attorney general has introduced legislation to strengthen laws against money laundering, credit card theft, loan sharking and other crimes often associated with gambling.

The campaign in Massachusetts will give Maine an opportunity to consider enacting some basic safeguards and ground rules. It might be a prudent move, considering that a petition drive could bring on a new  gambling urge at any time. The promise of easy money is never easy to resist..

And gambling seems to be relatively inflation-proof. Despite the poor economy, Hollywood Slots in Bangor posted near-record revenue for July ”“  $70.5 million. It’s a jackpot for investors, to be sure, but to us, it’s money that could have been better spent.

— Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen Schulze Muszynski or Nick Cowenhoven at 282-1535 or kristenm@journaltribune.com or nickc@journaltribune.com.