AUGUSTA, Maine — The House of Representatives on Thursday endorsed a bill that would allow Maine’s Native American tribes to operate a casino in Washington County or Aroostook County.
The bill, LD 1446, written by the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, would allow a competitive bid process dependent on which proposal would create maximum economic and employment benefit for Maine’s four federally recognized Indian tribes. Those bids would be considered by a new body called the Casino Development Commission. Voters would need to approve the casino plan in a countywide referendum.
The fee to submit a bid to the commission would be $100,000. The license fee for a casino under the bill is $1 million for a five-year term with a renewal fee of $100,000. Fifty-four percent of the profits would benefit the tribes.
Rep. Henry John Bear of the Houlton Band of Maliseets said Friday the bill has support from the tribes and a majority of lawmakers.
“This is a significant achievement,” Bear said. “This would be the first time in history that the state of Maine will license a multimillion-dollar business to be operated by the tribes. I believe that the tribal leaders will come together on this.”
Efforts by the tribes to implement and expand gaming have been turned back by the Legislature multiple times in recent years. Bear said the change of heart that could be unfolding in the Legislature likely is linked to a White Sands Gaming report released last year that found northern Maine could support a casino.
The bill was approved in the House by a vote of 114-26 on Thursday, but it faces further votes in both bodies of the Legislature.
The bill is expected to go to the Senate on Monday.
