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Lawmakers Push Back on LePage's Plan to Expand Keno Gambling

AUGUSTA, Maine - The expansion of electronic keno to Maine is an issue that's being debated before the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs committee. The bill under consideration would block the LePage administration from acting on its own. Some opponents of the state's plan object to the idea of increased gambling in Maine, while others take issue with the fact that the State Lottery Commission wants to implement the game on its own.   

Keno is offered in 15 states that have a lottery, and neighboring New Hampshire has a proposal for the game included in its state budget. Under Maine's plan, numbers would be drawn about every four minutes and  displayed on a video terminal at locations which could include  bars and restaurants, in addition to the existing lottery sales sites, such as convenience stores and large grocery chains.

Finance Commissioner Richard Rosen says that scenario it’s not really all that different from the way draw games are operated now. The addition of keno to the Maine lottery’s games portfolio would be similar to other daily game offerings, such as pick three and pick four."

But the lottery’s decision to implement the new game with as many as 300 terminals in 150 locations does not sit well with the co-chairs of the committee, and they've submitted legislation that would block the expansion without legislative approval.

Ellsworth Democrat Louis Luchini, one of the co-chairs, laid out some of the major issues: "Concerns about placement in restaurants where children are present. Bars where people are consuming alcohol. The payout ratios of keno versus other games.  The cannibalization of other charitable games," Luchini said.

Other committee members raised questions about how the new game would be enforced, given the frequency of draws and the few inspectors that are responsible not only for gambling but for liquor law violations as well.

Presque Isle Democrat Robert Saucier challenged Commissioner Rosen on the state's existing enforcement capacity, saying he has never actually seen a lottery inspector in Aroostook County. "If we are so concerned about underage gambling and underage drinking, why would we promote something like this. would have no enforcement whatsoever," Saucier said.

"I appreciate your point of view."

"It’s not a point of view sir, it is a fact. We have no enforcement for lottery."

But Rosen defended the department's ability to monitor gambling all over Maine. "In terms of our liquor enforcement and lottery enforcement folks, we feel we have an excellent team," he said. "I am certainly not going to say they can cover every part of the state, every minute of the day."
 
Carroll Conley, executive director of the Maine Christian Civic League, says the state should not encourage any more gambling, which  he says has led to other serious social problems. "The more compulsive gamblers we have, the greater chance for domestic abuse we will have," Conley said. "It is this reality that is truly upsetting. The governor’s proposal to state sponsored gambling severely undercuts his stated commitment to reduce domestic violence in our state."

But the proposed keno expansion has drawn some support. Philip St. Pierre owns a Lewiston convenience store, and is looking for ways to attract more business. "If I can get new customers through the door with a fun and exciting new lottery game, I know I can sell them other merchandise that will make by business stronger."

New Hampshire is projecting that its keno expansion will bring in $9 million a year. Rosen will only say that Maine’s proposal will generate millions in new revenue every year once it is fully implemented.  

The bill to block the keno expansion has an emergency clause, and it may need that two-thirds vote margin to survive an expected gubernatorial veto, should it be approved by the full Legislature.

 

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Journalist Mal Leary spearheads Maine Public's news coverage of politics and government and is based at the State House.