AUGUSTA — Supporters of a racetrack casino in Biddeford have submitted petitions aimed at changing Maine’s racino law, allowing the Biddeford Downs proposal to move forward.

Biddeford Downs partners – Scarborough Downs and Ocean Properties Ltd. – hope the Legislature will change existing law to open the door to a racino in southern Maine and in Washington County. If not, the proposal would go to a referendum, thanks to 76,536 signatures delivered today to the secretary of state.

Maine’s racino law requires local approval of communities where existing harness-racing tracks were located. Only Bangor did so, and the result was Hollywood Slots.

Scarborough residents rejected slot machines, so Scarborough Downs proposed moving to Biddeford, where residents approved a racetrack casino. The proposal also would allows a tribal racino in Washington County.