Penobscot Nation asks state for slot machines

Thursday, February 22, 2007  

The Penobscot Nation of Maine says the legalization of slot machines has hurt its bingo operation.

The tribe used to bring in $150,000 a year from bingo. But now that a non-Indian racetrack is offering slot machines, profit has fallen to $3,800, the tribe's representative to the state Legislature said.

Donna Loring asked fellow lawmakers to re-allocate 400 of the 1,500 slot machines allowed under state law to the tribe. "This is a very serious situation," she said, The Bangor Daily News reported. "The general fund contributes to our emergency services and our health and human services, so this is a huge loss for us."

Voters approved slots at the racetrack in 2004 but rejected a tribal casino. The tribe hasn't given up plans to legalize a casino.

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Indian nation requests redress (The Bangor Daily News 2/22)