AUGUSTA (AP) — A group of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle says Maine must create a competitive bidding process to guide the further expansion of casinos and ensure the state gets the best deal.
Casino development so far has been steered by citizen initiative so the state has had no say on things like licensing fees.
A report commissioned by the Legislature last year suggested that there’s room for an additional casino in southern Maine and a smaller one in Aroostook or Washington County. It also provided recommendations for how the state could shape a competitive bidding process.
Democratic Rep. Diane Russell, Sen. Linda Valentino and others said Thursday that the Legislature now has a great opportunity to finally establish such a policy using the report as a blueprint.
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