SACO — The state needs to have a regulatory framework for casinos, said State Rep. Linda Valentino, so she has proposed legislation that would create such a framework.

Earlier this month, residents of Maine rejected a ballot question that would have allowed racinos in Biddeford and Washington County and another ballot question that would have allowed a casino in Lewiston. Since 2000, Mainers have approved two gambling facilities and rejected six more in statewide referendums, according to the Associated Press.

Valentino’s LD 227 would set up four districts in the state, allowing one casino in each district. The proposed legislation would require a competitive bidding process for any developer interested in building a casino, and there would have to be at least two proposals for the state to consider moving forward. As well, a casino would have to be at least 75 miles away from another casino.

A successful bidder would be subject to a $5 million privilege fee. Under current law, a casino developer would be subject to a $225,000 licensing fee.

As well, individual casino developers couldn’t have more than one casino in Maine, so there wouldn’t be a monopoly. This would provide more protection for the state, so if a company was in financial trouble, all the casinos wouldn’t go down.

“We are going to set the bar very high in Maine,” said Valentino.

Valentino drafted the proposed legislation four and a half years ago, and said the legislature should move forward with it to provide for Maine citizens a well thought-out plan instead of a constant stream of citizen’s initiatives.

Maine needs to look at what other states are doing, she said, including Massachusetts, which recently passed a law that will create districts and require casinos to pay an $85 million licensing fee.

State Rep. Alan Casavant, who is also mayor-elect of Biddeford, said if Maine citizens had voted to allow a racino in Biddeford, he would have worked to make sure it was the best it could be.

Casavant said he believes that Maine needs more regulations regarding casinos and some thought as to how many the state can sustain.

“I think the state has to do something,” said Casavant. “It’s clearly too chaotic.”

Casavant said Maine is “getting fleeced” in gambling when compared to other states.

Although Ocean Properties, the company that proposed a casino in Biddeford, has a good reputation, there’s no way to ensure the community would have gotten the best deal because there was no competition, he said.

LD 227 has not yet gone before the legislature for a hearing.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.