OXFORD — Maine’s newest casino opened at 6 p.m. Tuesday after a ribbon-cutting and reception with owners, managers and staff.
Oxford Casino managers didn’t give much notice in announcing the opening date, spokesman Scott Smith said Tuesday, because they didn’t want the opening to be overwhelmed.
“We wanted it to be a thoughtful first step,” Smith said. “We’re very confident. We’re ready, but it’s not unusual to have a soft opening.”
The soft opening seemed to have worked. When the casino opened its doors, the parking lot was about half full. Gamers got inside without much waiting. Inside were 500 slot machines, a restaurant, a lounge and a dozen table games including blackjack, poker, craps and roulette. A tent next to the side entrance allows customers to sign up for the casino’s loyalty club before entering the building.
Maine’s only other casino is Hollywood Casino, located in Bangor.
Bob Bahre, the casino’s largest initial investor and the former owner of Oxford Plains Speedway, was hoping for a slow opening. He recalled when he opened the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon in 1990. The opening was so successful that it took until 2 a.m. for the crowds to clear out.
Bahre said he and his son, Gary Bahre, joined up to help bring jobs to the area. After 1,000 positions were lost in local manufacturing, he said, he wanted to start reversing the trend. Now, two years after the Bahres joined other investors in pushing for the casino, Bahre said he was happy to see it open. As of Tuesday, the casino employed about 400 people.
Bahre said he expects that number to go up in the coming years, citing the current expansion and eventual plans to build a hotel and other accommodations. “The 400 jobs here are going to be nothing compared to what you’re going to see in three or four years.”
Bahre said he doesn’t know much about gambling and is happy to let management make the decisions. On Tuesday, he said casino employees approached him and thanked him for the jobs. He told them, “I didn’t hire you.”
General Manager Jack Sours said 95 percent of casino employees are from Maine, and most live in the region. Sours, casino employees, community leaders and the original Black Bear Development investors gathered at the entrance Tuesday for the casino’s opening.
“A lot of us remember this when it was a green field,” Smith said. “Look at it now.”
Bahre spoke at the ribbon-cutting, ensuring the casino would be an honest business. “It’s going to be run right. It’s going to be clean and decent,” he said. “If they don’t do it right, somebody’s going to be singing soprano.”
Floyd Thayer, chairman of the Oxford Board of Selectmen, said it took a lot of work on the town level to get to Tuesday’s opening. “It all started with some meetings. Then more meetings. Then we had a few special selectmen meetings, then a few public hearings. And a few special town meetings, as a matter of fact. It was a long road to here.”
An expansion to the gaming floor is already under construction. Bahre and others spoke over the sound of saw blades and machinery. The expansion will make the gaming floor about 50 percent larger, Smith said.
Peter Martin, governmental relations adviser for Black Bear Development and a shareholder in the casino, said it was the realization of a dream. “I think the vision of the entire ownership team has come through to fruition,” he said before the opening. He said the lodge-like building is “very Maine.”
“In all honesty, it looks better than I thought it was going to,” Bahre said. “It’s something Oxford can be proud of, and it’s something the state can be proud of.”
The casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
See more stories from the Sun Journal.
Yawn.
Yes. Wonderful. Casinos have done wonders for the economies of northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan….all of which are demographically and economically similar to Oxford co. #NOTTHEANSWER
It’s another tax, when you think the state get 39%.. it’s welfare
Maybe Bangor will start paying more since Oxford is open.
Almost missed the story! Thanks BDN! Why isn’t this a larger story since the BDN is a state-wide newspaper?
AHH!!!! a Choice….. I can’t see any loyalities of the Bangor casino to it’s consumers with higher payout prize sizes, so I don’t see a reason the consumers should stay loyal to the Bangor casino.. Unless there is collusion between the two along with the State gaming commisssion and they don’t pay out either.
You won’t have any collusion between any because the state just passed Casino legislation allowing more Casinos and was signed last week. It eliminates the monopolies on Casinos, No more Referendums on Casinos and Gambling meaning we might finally be rid of Dennis Bailey thank god.
The State Gambling Board and the Legislature has the authority now on where they will go and who gets them. It will happen through a number of bidding processes to have Casinos (several bidding processes at least starting possibly sometime next year). More Casinos are on the way, competition is on the way, no more eastern vs southern maine etc.. Mainers who want more Casinos , Horsetrack Casinos and Slot Parlors we are finally going to get them.
once again you are dreaming….the new law says nothing of the kind….it sets up a task for force reccomend how we should proceed in the future. It is made up of groups for and opposed to gambling. Right now the law says you must go to statewide referendum for a casino….that may never change. Anuthing they reccomend is not binding…it does not mean a thing…..it also puts a moritorium on any new casino licenses….dont hold your breath on any more pitbul.
Mainers being put to work. We need more of this.
Why don’t we legalize prostitution or drugs? Both would create jobs. If creating jobs is be-all-end-all, we should just legalize every currently illegal activity.
I say why not? Prostitution should be legal, make it regulated and safe for the customers and workers. Same with drugs. You make anything legal and it removes the criminal element.
Boom, instant taxable industry.
but regulation is bad for business…you can’t do that. Customers and workers are responsible for their own risks.
Employers are responsible for customer & employee safety. Turn it from pimps and organized crime to good ole capitalism.
Funny way to frame this story – that they didn’t make a big deal out of the opening because they didn’t want big business. The truth is that they didn’t make a big deal out of the opening because there wasn’t going to be a huge turnout. Casino’s make their money in the long run – they going to settle into Oxford and will be siphoning money out of the local economy for years to come – there’s no hurry.
“…siphoning money out of the local economy…” Typical hater response.
“95 percent of casino employees are from Maine, and most live in the region”
I guess those 380 or so people will spend their pay checks in New Hampshire or some other state.
Just last weekend I made a rare trip to Hollywood Slots to play some cards. As I exited the highway I stopped for gas and a cold drink. I played and had fun and then felt hungry for dinner. I brought my date to a restaurant for dinner. As we left the restaurant I saw an interesting shop and bought a few trinkets. In all, I spent more than twice as much in the surrounding community than I did at the casino.
They call that secondary economic impact. Casinos bring communities a lot of this impact. Bleeding out of the economy? No. Infusing into the economy is more like it. Ask Bangor shop owners how they like the casino and concerts……They draw people and they spend.
LOL.
Well said TheRexican. You understand why we are changing things in Maine. Bringing in people and having the amenties so they spend their dollar here, not elsewhere. They are going to spend the dollar, so why wouldn’t we want it here? Btw, it is Hollywood Casino. See you at the tables.
How about a little creativity with the names of these casinos. Hollywood Casino and Oxford Casino just don’t sound like exciting destinations. The names Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, even Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun have some glamor and appeal. I’m not saying the names have to be something wildly exotic, but Hollywood Casino and Oxford Casino sound like rinky dink, dirt floor establishments, rather than the indulgent destinations they are meant to be.
How ’bout ‘Oxford Plains Black Hole Casino’?
or ‘Oxford Plains Flat Busted Casino’?
or “Oxford Plains How Am I Gonna Explain This To My Wife Casino”
or “Oxford Leave Your Kid in the Car While You Gamble Casino”
with a name like Smuckers it has to be good…….the name means nothing….all those facilities you mentioned are all having financial difficulty……
I realize an appealing name is not going to rescue a casino from financial mismanagement or an economic recession. I’m just saying a name with a little creativity and allure would add some attractiveness and an air of legitimacy to these fledgling operations.
Lots a folks will have to lose lotsa $$$ to keep those 400 jobs.
Yessah
Lose?? How about willfully spending their money as they want to, not as you want them to.
I will take the Casinos , the tourists that come, the jobs and the much needed revenue they bring in . Unlike Democrats who would have rather us spend , spend more and borrowing into the stratosphere to create unlimited Welfare Expansion and Unlimited Welfare Benefits with no end in site. We know you would rather have us go poor instead of doing what we want with our money. Every State that has multiple Casinos (more than 2) they have done real well unlike Socialist Welfare Haven here in Maine. The majority of these Casino states have used the revenue to turn their states around these states taxes are alot lower than Maine’s. These states roads, schools are in better shape and more businesses have opened since they used the revenue to lower taxes for all. Maine can do the same. So don’t tell us how to spend our money because we can spend our money better than any Liberal in Maine and in Augusta would rather have our money going into more Government.
Doesn’t look like Oxford even has a buffet like Bangor does…and families aren’t allowed to go to Oxford to dine…no one under 21 allowed in their restaurants. I used to take my middle schooler and grandchild to the buffet in Bangor quite regularly until we moved out of Maine. I didn’t use the casino, though…not my cup of tea.
they have a sit down menu and the food was very good last night…..saw that they have already started to expand the facility for more slots, more tables and a larger restaurant…..maybe they will decide to change the dining policy when the expansion is done.
Lots of people (like myself) don’t gamble, but DO like to take their families out to eat. The Hollywood Slots buffet is the best buffet I have ever been too and the price is very reasonable. When I go back to Maine to visit I will definitely be going there again with my family…and ALL of my family is welcome to dine there, regardless of age. If anyone hasn’t gone there to eat before I suggest checking it out…it’s fantastic. If you have children you do need to go through the hotel entrance, though.
If the buffet at the Casino is a draw to the city’s diners then Bangor is a much bigger s**hole than I realized.
Where do you live Thomas?
Bangor, what about you
Hollywood Casino, Slots was the old name when it was just slots. Full casino now.
I was in the Oxford Casino last night and the place was packed at 10pm. Estimates were from the security folks about 1000 people in the room. So much for the soft opening…..I have now been in both Maine casino’s and the style and ambience are polar opposites. Bangor although nice is your typical Vegas style facility….Oxford is much different, done tastefully with a LLBean/Cabella feel to it…of the 2 Oxford gets my vote and my money.
Bangor Casino is one bog scam,you won’t win anything there,all they want you to donate some money,and go home,lol
I’m Happy for them. competition is always good for the consumer..
Can’t wait to see how both casinos play off each other to get our business, unless of course they are in bed together. Lets see how the gamming commission handles 2 casinos.
Is the city of Bangor going to get cut from oxford also, to pay for the new Arena??? You know from taking business away from Hollywood Casino.
Maybe Bangor will just charge a water runoff tax, garabage bag tax, air tax, poll tax, city sales tax,etc,etc. to pay for all the corporate welfare the city doles out.
…
Illegal. Should be shut down!
How is it illegal ?
Why is it illegal the Maine people voted yes a couple of years ago . They are following the same rules as Bangor, but they will follow the new rules on Casinos and Gambling that just was signed into law last week here in Maine. The Anti-Casino , Anti-Business crowd in Maine is worried that they are losing their grip on the people . Because this Casino and the one in Bangor will be more popular than anything Maine Democrats will propose for our state. Has Bangor fallen into the Abyss from Hollywood Casino. No it has not it has seen major growth a new arena, Waterfront Concerts, Kahhbang Festival, More businesses moving into the downtown, starting to move into the waterfront on a full time basis. Oxford will eventually see the same growth. Once the new Gambling law fully goes into effect more cities and towns here in Maine will have the opportunity to have the same benefits that Bangor and Oxford are getting and going to get.
you are so far in left field you must be playing at another ball field
No your wrong I said Maine would be expanding Gambling one way or the other. Either through citizen’s doing it through the referendums or the Legislature doing it. I have said for years on here that Augusta was Pro-Gambling and well they have proved my point. Now they may have just ended Dennis Bailey Reign of Stupidity and his Anti-Business Attitude here in Maine. They (Legislature and Gov.LePage) have just taken the power out of his hands. Because the intent of this new law is to end the referenudms on this issue which they basically have done. That is what the Anti-Gambling Group Mainers Against Rotten Deals wanted . They wanted this law well now they have it, they wanted a Bidding Process well they got it now. With the State Gambling Board now given the power to decide which areas should be the best fit for them and how much to charge the people who want Casinos.
you are out of your mind, again……lepage just veto slots in non profits and veterans halls..DEAD. LD1897 put a moritorium on any casino license with no end date, The Maine Gambling control board could not even issue a dog license. it could go no for ever. The Maine Gambling Control board has said plenty of casinos. The task force is set up for failure as opposing factions will reccomend different outcomes…another stalemate……your predictions of the last couple of years have all been wrong and you continue to keep your head in the sand. You may see Ocean Properties push for a 2014 referendum and that will fail as well. OP properties just got outed as they are trying to buy votes in Biddeford influenecing local elections…give it up.
Do I hear a load sucking sound coming from Hollywood as potential ‘suckers’ go west?
Things will be very good Thomas. A casino in the south and a casino in the north. No worries.
I will wager that the casino will stay open a lot longer
than Solyndra.
once again you are dreaming….the new law says nothing of the kind….it sets up a task for force reccomend how we should proceed in the future. It is made up of groups for and opposed to gambling. Right now the law says you must go to statewide referendum for a casino….that may never change. Anuthing they reccomend is not binding…it does not mean a thing…..it also puts a moritorium on any new casino licenses….dont hold your breath on any more pitbul.
Wrong. It is a Republican bill that passed not the Democrat one that Rep. Valentino wanted nice try. A bill that would have given all of the money to Welfare Programs. The committee will be made mainly of those involved with the Casino industry with Hollywood Casino , The Oxford Casino, Horse Racing folks getting a seat on that board, Anti-Casino crowd Dennis Bailey and Co only get 2 seats total (no more than 6 meetings total). It sets up a task force that has to have recommendations with in a year, but The Gambling Board has total authority though now on any Gambling expansion. They have the final say over everything now with the Legislature advising them. They also hope to have the bidding process put in with in that time as well with Feburary 2013 with the rules on it done hopefully. They already have stated they will likely have multiple bidding processes to give anybody who wants one they can have one. But any group that wants a Casino has to make a minimum investment in Maine which the Gambling Board will determine how much an investment is made. Casinos/Horsetrack Casinos/Slot Parlors are now a $5.25 million dollar fee total , if you want to get into the bidding process. They already have stated that the referendum process is likely gone now with the State running things. Anti-Casino folks like yourself better deal with it because more Casinos are on the way with in the next few years.
the referendum process is still the law on casino expansion as it the 100 mile provision until the law is changed. Remember this, no law has been passed to do anything. All that was past was task force to study what IF ANY gambling expansion the state should have. They dont report back until 2014 and dont event start studying the issues until 1 year after Oxford has opened. Then what ever they come back with is not even binding. The legislature can say no thanks! This task force is being set up to fail, it is a joke and it will fail.
Wrong. You definitely, You seriously need to read the testimony of Mike Mahoney (Penn National) and Peter Martin (Oxford) because this law is a complete change according to them. Which both did not like by the way can’t blame them when you have a monopoly now that its gone your going to complain like heck. You also need to see the testimony from LD 1880 as well which is mentioned. They mention (Mahoney and Martin to a lesser extent) that this law basically gets rid of the referendums on Casinos bans them basically, that the law now eliminates the monopolies that Penn National and Oxford has . It allows open competition anyone including average citizens can have gambling halls of any type of Gambling from Bingo, Keno , 50/50 raffles (most people do it now) etc. just as long as they get a license. Mr. Mahoney said that now this law is in effect that those who take out petitions to get a Casino like Scarborough Downs would have their referendum petitions declared invalid and no longer be legal because of the change in law. Because they would have to pay $5,250,000 fee to just even get the chance to apply for the bidding process as Mahoney put it. Those who are against Casinos like Casinos No according to Mahoney and Martin would only have the right to have 2 seats on this new board. Their power is basically stripped. So the real losers is Penn National, Oxford because their monopoly as of last week is gone which is good they shouldn’t have a monopoly its unamerican anyone should be able to compete against them. Also Dennis Bailey, Casinos No and etc. because now they will have to find something else to complain over. They now will have to focus their time on New Hampshire, Masssachusetts etc. because their reign as of making Mainers miserable as of last week is over in Maine. I think you will find what I have said from the beginning. Maine will have no limits on the amount of Casinos, More are coming, More Types of Gambling is coming, better promotions, better resturants from the Casinos are coming. Plus you will have a change in the revenue formula. So everyone from Maine taxpayers, businesses, schools, roads & bridges , harness racing folks etc we will all see benefits from jobs and revenue just as is done in other states.
There will be a Casino in Biddeford within two years and it makes sense. York County’s population balloons to nearly a million people in the summer…that equates to millions of dollars from ‘away’ unlike Hollywood’s millions from locals. Everyone wins with a Biddeford casino!
Bangor Casino needs competytion,needs another casino close,so people can choose to go to the place they like.Bangor Casino like their monopoly,but the good days for Bangor Casino is over,now we can go to Oxford,and hopefuly this Fall we will aprove another casino close to Bangor.They really deserve that,they treat people very bad there,