Gunstock shares plans for casino expansion, ski-thru fast food chain | Local News
GILFORD — The Gunstock Area Commission unveiled their long awaited expansion plans for Gunstock Mountain Resort Friday to a group of investors and shareholders. Jake McGroubles, a Gilford resident who was allowed to watch the meeting from outside, described the plans as “ambitious to say the least.” Gunstock Commission Chair Doug Lambert announced the mountain intends to use sand to add 1,500 additional vertical feet to the summit, accessible via gondola. To help accommodate these new heights, the resort will build a pair of 36 story hotel and casino towers on top of Belknap Mountain, functioning as a secondary base area to the expanded summit. “This has been a long time coming, and we’re so happy to share our vision for the future of this mountain,” said Mandy Highpeaks, a newly hired spokesperson for the Gunstock Area Commission, who is definitely not associated with Vail Resorts. “We understand that Gunstock is a community mountain shared and loved by both locals and out-of-staters, and we were very cognizant of those factors while coming up with these plans, but we also want people to note here, that change is not only inevitable, but also a good thing.” With a flourish of her wrist, Highpeaks removed a cloth from a massive poster board depicting an artist’s rendition of the mountain’s future development. The front rows of the crowd, mostly consisting of investors from the Boston area and Rihad, clapped wildly at the announcement. The $19 million expansion to the main lodge garnered extra applause. The future Lodge+ complex will have nearly 100 additional luxury suites, a swimming pool, indoor tennis court and an expanded dining area. Plans also called for the first ever Burger King “ski-thru” along the already existing cross-country trail. “We know this means a lot more traffic,” said Gunstock Commission Vice Chair Jade Wood after announcing that she is due to have triplets this August, “so we’re adding a pair of parking garages and we’re expanding Panorama Drive into a four-lane bypass.” In addition to the Lakeview Hotel Casino Complex, the entire area to the right of the Tiger lift will be developed into a mountain-spanning condominium complex, with budget units starting as low as $1.5 million. “We do understand concerns that we’re losing some skiable area with this expansion,” Highpeaks acknowledged, “But that’s a distorted view. We’re not ‘losing eight trails and the tubing area,’ but trading them for a vibrant, progressive and beautiful community that will exploit— I mean, enrich Belknap County for generations.” Source link
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US Online Casinos Guide 2024
Home » Best Payout Online Casinos in March » US Online Casinos (2025) The US online casino industry is an ever-changing regulatory landscape – as many individual American states have moved to pass online gambling legislation in recent years. Although the focus has been primarily on pushing through sports betting bills, online casino gaming continues to be a lucrative industry in states with regulated markets and even those without. Which States Currently have Safe, Legal and Regulated Online Casinos in the US? New Jersey – One of the first states to legalize and regulate online gambling. Pennsylvania – Offers a variety of online casino games. Michigan – Recently joined the states offering legal online casinos. West Virginia – Permits online slots, table games, and poker. Delaware – One of the early adopters of online gambling legislation. Connecticut – Has legal online casinos with partnerships with local tribes. Rhode Island – The Rhode Island Senate approved an online casino gaming bill (S 0948) by a vote of 30-4 in June 2023. In January 2025 State Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary submitted legislation that seeks to legalize online casinos throughout the state. It´s quite possible that more states will enact legislation to legalize online casinos as 2025 unfolds. US Online Casino Regulators Online casino regulation in the United States is handled by each individual state. The vast majority of states have their own department or division of gaming within the government while some have independent racing and gaming commissions. Any gambling company that wishes to offer online casino products and services within state borders must apply to the relevant gambling or gaming department. However, in those states where online casino gambling is regulated, there may be a limitation on the number of licenses issued. When applicable, all online casino gaming regulation is handled by a state’s gambling regulatory authority. Gambling Regulators by State State Online Casino Legal Gambling Regulator Address Alabama No Gambling Commission Proposed – Alaska No Alaska Department of RevenueTax Division, Gaming Group 550 W 7th Ave, Suite 500Anchorage, Ak 99501-3555 Arizona No Arizona Department of Gaming 100 N, 15th Ave, Suite 202,Phoenix, AZ 85007 Arkansas No Arkansas Racing Commission 1515 Building1515 W 7th St, Ste 505Little Rock, AR 72201 California No California Gambling Control Commission 2399 Gateway Oaks Dr. Suite 220Sacramento, CA 95833-4231 Colorado No Colorado Division of Gaming 1707 Cole Blvd Suite 300,Lakewood, CO 80401 Connecticut Yes Connecticut Gaming Division 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 901,Hartford, Connecticut, 06103-1840 Delaware Yes Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement 600 South Bay Road, Suite 2Dover, Delaware 19901 Florida No Florida Gaming Control Commission – Georgia No Georgia Lottery Corporation 250 Williams Street, Suite 3000Atlanta, GA 30303 Hawaii No None – Idaho No Idaho State Lottery Commission – Charitable Gaming & LotteryCasinos regulated by tribal groups 1199 Shoreline Ln STE 100, Boise, ID 83702 Illinois No Illinois Gaming Board 160 North LaSalleSuite 300Chicago, Illinois 60601 Indiana No Indiana Gaming Commission East Tower, Suite 1600101 W. Washington StreetIndianapolis, IN 46204 Iowa No Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission DMACC Capitol Center1300 Des Moines Street, Suite 100Des Moines, IA 50309 Kansas No Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission Eisenhower State Office Building700 SW Harrison St. Topeka, KS4th floor rm. 450 Auditorium A/B Kentucky No Gambling Commission Proposed – Louisiana No Louisiana Gaming Control Board 7901 Independence Blvd.Building ABaton Rouge, LA 70806 Maine No Gambling Control Unit 45 Commerce Drive, Suite 3Augusta, ME 04333-0087 Maryland No Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency 1800 Washington Blvd., Suite 330,Baltimore, MD 21230 Massachusetts No Massachusetts Gaming Commission 101 Federal St., 12th FloorBoston, MA 02110 Michigan Yes Michigan Gaming Control Board 3062 West Grand Boulevard, Suite L-700Detroit, MI 48202-6062 Minnesota No Minnesota Gambling Control Board Suite 300 South,1711 West County Road BRoseville, MN 55113 Mississippi No Mississippi Gaming Commission 620 North St STE 200,Jackson, MS 39202 Missouri No Missouri Gaming Commission 3417 Knipp Dr,Jefferson City, MO 65109 Montana No Montana Gambling Control Division 615 S 27th St A,Billings, MT 59101 Nebraska No Nebraska Gaming Commission 5903 Walker Ave,Lincoln, NE 68507 Nevada No Nevada Gaming Control Board 555 East Washington Ave Suite 2600,Las Vegas, NV 89101 New Hampshire No New Hampshire Gaming Regulatory Oversight Authority c/o New Hampshire Lottery Commission,14 Integra Drive,Concord, NH 03301 New Jersey Yes New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement S Tennessee Ave,Atlantic City, NJ 08401 New Mexico No New Mexico Gaming Control Board 4900 Alameda Blvd NEAlbuquerque NM 87113 New York No New York State Gaming Commission PO Box 7500Schenectady, New York 12301-7500 North Carolina No Casinos regulated by tribal groups – North Dakota No North Dakota Gaming Division 600 E. Boulevard Ave Dept. 125Bismarck ND 58505 Ohio No Ohio Casino Control Commission 100 East Broad Street, 20th Floor,Columbus, OH 43215 Oklahoma No Oklahoma Gaming Compliance Unit 2401 N Lincoln Blvd.Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Oregon No Oregon Lottery 500 Airport Road SE,Salem OR 97301 Pennsylvania Yes Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Commonwealth Tower, Strawberry Square,303 Walnut Street, 5th FloorHarrisburg, PA 17101 Rhode Island Yes Division of Commercial Licensing and Racing & Athletics 1511 Pontiac Ave,Cranston, RI 02920 South Carolina No None – South Dakota No South Dakota Commission on Gaming 445 E Capitol Avenue,Pierre, SD 57501 Tennessee No Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation 26 Century Blvd., Suite 200Nashville, TN 37214 Texas No Gambling Commission Proposed – Utah No None – Vermont No Office of the Attorney General – Charitable gaming only 109 State StMontpelier, VT 05609 Virginia No Virginia Lottery 600 E Main St,Richmond, VA 23219 Washington No Washington State Gambling Commission 4565 7th Avenue S.E.Lacey, WA 98503 Washington D.C. No Office of Lottery and Gaming 2235 Shannon Place SE, Suite 3040, Washington, DC 20020 West Virginia Yes West Virginia Lottery 900 Pennsylvania AvenueCharleston, WV 25302 Wisconsin No Wisconsin Division of Gaming 3319 W. Beltline Hwy, Fl 1Madison, WI 53713 Wyoming No Wyoming Gaming Commission Energy II Building, 951 Werner Court, Suite 335 Casper, WY 82601 Online Casino Laws in The United States Like legal sportsbetting in the US, casino gambling is legal
How Trump’s Second Term Will Change the U.S. Casino Industry
The first few weeks of the second Donald Trump administration have been eventful, to say the least. Barely a day goes by when the President isn’t signing a new executive order that causes debate around the world. Among the many areas of business waiting for Trump’s next move is the casino industry. It has been felt that the President, who has a long background in casino ownership, would introduce changes to boost the sector. Slow Progress While other areas of gambling have experienced considerable growth since 2018, the United States casino industry has been slow to follow. As of March 2025, only six US states have legalized digital casino play, and these are Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. While it’s possible to find the best online casino USA from that small list, it’s clear there is room for growth. The big question is whether Donald Trump will introduce measures that will boost the US online casino sector. Those inside the industry who want to see growth remain hopeful, and the focus of that hope centers around the President’s history with the sector. Committed to Casinos Donald Trump first became involved with casinos in 1982. This was the year that the New Jersey Commission granted him a license to operate a gaming hall in Atlantic City. The subsequent property was named the Trump Plaza Casino and Hotel, and three years later, he purchased another casino from the Hilton Hotel chain. His gaming empire continued to grow, but his ventures weren’t always successful. Donald Trump hasn’t owned a casino for some time, but that long association with real money gaming suggests that he might look favorably on future legislation. Early Moves In the early days of his second term, Donald Trump has focused on business as a whole, without specifically addressing the casino industry. As expected, the new President has promised to introduce a series of tax cuts, which are intended to stimulate growth across several industries. These measures will aid the six states where online casino play is already legalized. Greater revenue could be generated, and the cuts should encourage more operators to open up, giving players in those states a wider choice. It’s a promising start, but in order for the sector to develop, more state governments need to open their digital doors to online casinos. The Key States Much of the early discussion about the future of US online casinos focuses on two of the biggest states in the Union. Arkansas and Texas have, up until now, resisted the calls to legalize gambling in their regions, but changes in administration may force a different outlook. The Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, has previously stated that he would consider passing a bill on gambling, and if he ends up inside the Trump administration, the state could move quickly to legalize online casinos. It’s felt that if Texas and Arkansas allow casino play, other regions will follow, but there are more key states to consider. It may seem surprising that Nevada, with its multitude of physical casino halls, has yet to allow digital play. Elsewhere, California and Minnesota are also being closely watched. It may be a case of one state passing legislation before many others follow. Early signs from Donald Trump’s second term indicate a focus on generating revenue and cutting unnecessary costs. If the president needs a model to suggest the potential for online casinos, he only needs to look at global income figures. This is a billion dollar industry, and the potential is enormous. Since day one, President Trump has been concerned with several key global issues, and there is a focus on war with Ukraine, along with tariffs on overseas imports. The casino sector has yet to see any real movement, but that is likely to change moving forward. Donald Trump is a supporter of a free market economy, and he understands the potential for online casino revenue. As his attention turns to the sector, it seems likely that more states will open up to digital casino play. Source link
Federal Government Reconsidering Approval Of New California Casino
New Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum has rescinded approval of a controversial proposed tribal casino in Vallejo. Burgum announced that the department was reviewing the plan and whether the land qualified for a casino under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The news comes after the United Auburn Indian Community, which operates Thunder Valley Casino, filed a lawsuit last week against the Interior Department to block the project. Thunder Valley is located just under 90 minutes northeast of the planned property. United Auburn argued that the approval of the Scotts Valley band of Pomo Indians project violated federal law and tribal gaming regulations. Scotts Valley planned a $700 million, 615,000-square-foot casino on 128 acres in the San Francisco Bay Area, but that property is not located on the tribe’s ancestral lands in Lake County. Lake County is about 120 miles north of Vallejo. “The approval of this casino is a blatant violation of federal law and sets a dangerous precedent for tribes that have followed the established rules for Indian gaming,” said United Auburn Chairman John L. Williams said. Other Tribes Take Issue As Well The Scotts Valley casino was approved in January as the Biden administration was near the end of its four-year term. The lawsuit alleges that the administration rushed through the approval, dismissing legal procedures and objections over the casino from other tribes in the area. The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, which operates nearby Cache Creek Casino Resort, and the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation also object to the casino. Previous efforts by Scotts Valley to build a casino in Richmond and Vallejo were rejected by the Department of the Interior. “The Vallejo Site lies within the ancestral lands of the Patwin people,” the lawsuit notes. “Scotts Valley has instead pursued multiple sites well outside its traditional homeland because of their greater money-making potential.” The Scotts Valley Band is officially recognized as a landless tribe with a history of displacement experienced by many other Native American tribes. The tribe was federally recognized in 1991 and has sought to reestablish a homeland to build a tribal community. Scotts Valley Tribal Chairman Shawn Davis said rescinding the original decision denied the tribe its sovereignty. “It is unconscionable to reopen a final determination based solely on the objections of a competitor, especially considering they just repackage previously considered and rejected arguments,” he said. “The greed of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is disgusting. Despite their billions of dollars, they aren’t satisfied. The Scotts Valley Band will not be bullied, and we won’t back down.” Latest In Long Line Of Tribal Disputes Tribal gaming has seen several similar disputes in recent months. That includes objections to the Koi Nation’s efforts to build a casino resort on its ancestral homeland about an hour north of San Francisco. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria own and operate a casino just about 20 minutes from the site and also claim the land and argue that the Koi’s efforts amount to an “illegal land grab.” The disputes come after the Biden administration relaxed rules governing the tribes’ ability to open gaming operations. Casino efforts have also led to tribal disputes in regards to the planned construction of a Coquille tribe casino in Oregon as well. Source link
Colusa County Sheriff’s Office investigating shooting of Colusa Casino Tribal security officer | News
COLUSA COUNTY, Calif. – The Colusa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a tribal security officer was shot early Saturday morning. Authorities say that at around 12:16 a.m. Saturday, deputies from the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Packer Road east of Highway 45 in Colusa regarding a man who had been shot multiple times. The victim of the shooting, was transported to Adventist Health & Rideout Hospital in Marysville for treatment of his injuries, which were determined to be non-life threatening in nature. The man was later released from the hospital. Detectives from the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and began their investigation into the incident. Authorities say that after the initial investigation was conducted, detectives determined that the victim, a member of the Colusa Casino’s Tribal Patrol Security, was conducting a routine patrol on Colusa Tribal property when he located a dark blue, late 1990’s Toyota Corolla . The Corolla, which was parked near a walnut orchard on Colusa Tribal grounds, had its lights turned off. The Colusa County Sheriff’s Office says that the security officer attempted to make contact with the driver of the vehicle, who appeared to be unconscious sitting in the driver’s seat. Authorities say that upon making contact, the driver turned towards the security officer and opened fire, firing multiple shots from a firearm. The bullets struck the victim on his bulletproof vest, but did not penetrate. The suspect who opened fire drove away from the scene of the shooting after the security officer stumbled and fell down to the ground. The Colusa County Sheriff’s Office says that victim of the shooting described to them that the suspect was a heavyset white male adult weighing approximately 300 pounds, bald, wearing gray sweatpants and a dark color hooded sweatshirt. In addition, the suspect was further described as having a tribal-like tattoo on his face starting from the bottom lip and going down his neck into his chest area. The tattoo is described as black in color with a red stripe going down the center from his bottom lip to his neck. Another tattoo that the victim observed and described to authorities was a green clover behind the suspects left ear. The Colusa County Sheriff’s Office says that they are continuously working with allied agencies in order to identify the suspect and that the investigation is ongoing. Anyone who may have any information regarding the shooting is asked to contact Sergeant Luis Ruiz at the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office at 530-458-0200. Source link
Bronx pols push bill to aid Bally’s bid to build casino on parkland
Two Bronx legislators announced Monday they’re introducing legislation to aid Bally’s bid to open a casino next to the borough’s golf course formerly run by President Trump’s firm. The bill pushed by Sen. Nathalia Fernandez and Assemblyman Mike Benedetto would reclassify the parkland for commercial use in order for the gambling and entertainment company’s casino bid to move forward. The project can’t proceed without the redesignation. The bill would reclassify the parkland for commercial use in order for the gambling and entertainment company’s casino bid to move forward. Brigitte Stelzer Bally’s took over the lease for the golf course from The Trump Organization in 2023 — renaming “Trump Links” at Ferry Point to “Bally Links.” Bally’s hopes to build a 500,000-square-foot casino on the Bronx site by its golf course, along with a 500-room hotel with a spa and meeting space, retail shops, a 2,000-seat event center, and two parking garages with capacity for up to 4,660 vehicles. “In order to keep this process transparent and allow for the community to properly review a complete proposal, we are introducing parkland alienation legislation required for the application process,” Fernandez and Benedetto said in a joint statement. “This is not an endorsement of this project, rather it is our determination that the Bronx should be allowed to participate and submit an application,” they said. Bally’s hopes to build a 500,000-square-foot casino on the Bronx site by its golf course, along with a 500-room hotel. Bally’s Corporation Similar legislation is expected to be introduced to potentially pave the way for a separate Queens casino bid. Queens Sen. John Liu said Monday that he is introducing legislation that would give billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen the legal right to move forward with his planned $8 billion casino complex next to Citi Field. The lots around Citi Field also require state approval to be reclassified from parkland to commercial use to advance Cohen’s casino bid. Assemblywoman Larinda Hooks is pushing a companion in the lower house. Bally’s took over the lease for the golf course in 2023 — renaming “Trump Links” at Ferry Point to “Bally Links.” AP But a potential roadblock lies with Sen. Jessica Ramos, who represents the district where the casino would largely be built. She has publicly opposed the project. Another dozen bidders are vying for up to three casino licenses that will be awarded by the state Gaming Commission at year’s end. Source link
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Cadre of local casinos oppose proposed GSR Arena getting public money, dubbing it unlawful
A coalition of local casinos are opposing public money being used on the proposed $1 billion investment into the Grand Sierra Resort, which would include a $380 million arena that would be home to the Nevada men’s basketball team. As first reported by The Nevada Independent, several Northern Nevada casinos wrote a letter of opposition earlier this month to the Reno City Council in regard to the project’s funding model. That letter was submitted on behalf of Caesars Entertainment, which includes the Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus in downtown Reno, as well as the Peppermill, the Nugget, Bonanza, Golden Road Motor Inn and BCH Gaming Reno. “As mentioned in the Coalition’s prior letter, the Coalition does not generally oppose the Project itself,” the letter written by McDonald Carano’s Joshua J. Hicks read. “However, the Coalition remains opposed to the use of tax increment financing (“TIF”) to fund the Project, which does not appear to be a lawful use of TIF.” The GSR is requesting up to $89.7 million in tax-increment financing funding for the projected $1 billion redevelopment, or roughly 9 percent of the total cost. TIF funding is a “pay as you go” model, meaning no public money would be used unless resort improvements were completed. The GSR is asking for 100 percent of future property tax increases through 2035 to be abated through the TIF model. It has additionally requested a 26 percent abatement through 2055. The coalition opposing the public financing said TIF is intended only for use in a “blighted area which constitute either social or economic liabilities, or both,” citing that specific language in NRS Chapter 279. The coalition also cited a 2024 city council meeting that stated the “Grand Sierra District consists mostly of the Grand Sierra Resort and the supplemental properties supporting the resort. As many of these parcels are well-kept and only serve the resort and guests, there is little need for redevelopment in this area and thus little need for redevelopment funding support.” Last month, the Reno Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board approved by an 8-1 vote to move forward with the hiring of Hunden Partners as the city’s agent to complete a gap analysis with that cost running up to $90,000. The lone board member who voted against approval cited the fact GSR’s property is in good shape. “To me, it’s the antithesis of blight,” the board member said. As part of the gap analysis, Hunden Partners, who offered a full report on the project last month, will complete the “but-for” test, which is required to access TIF funds. Under that test, the developer must prove that area’s improvement would only move forward with TIF funding. In its letter to the city council, the coalition argued no TIF project in Reno has generated nearly as much revenue for the recipient with the projected net operating income for the arena being $169.4 million from 2028-37. “Because the GSR is clearly willing and able to pay the up-front construction costs of the Project without TIF and is willing to do so despite the expiration of RDA 2 in 2035, it seems clear that the GSR intends to use TIF not for construction costs but instead to offset ongoing operational costs,” the letter reads. “We do not believe this is an appropriate use of TIF under Nevada law.” The development has earned support from UNR president Brian Sandoval as well as the Nevada Wolf Pack athletic department, which would move its home men’s basketball games from the on-campus Lawlor Events Center to the new 10,000-plus seat arena, which also would likely be home to a minor-league hockey team as well as major concerts and entertainment events. Sandoval initially said in a prepared speech during the redevelopment’s September 2023 announcement that no public money would be used on the project. Thirteen months later, the GSR offered a correction after submitting plans to use TIF funding, saying no university money would be used, which was the terminology used by GSR owner Alex Meruelo when the project was announced. Also speaking at the 2023 announcement was Reno mayor Hillary Schieve, who told The Nevada Independent the initial discussions with the GSR about paying for the project were “very vague” but her impression was that “they were looking at certain economic development tools.” The $1 billion project, if completed, also would include a 2,400-space parking garage; a 50,000-square-foot community ice facility; 24,300 square feet of retail; a high-tech aqua range hitting bay; beautification of the property’s lake for a nightly fountain show; 300 apartments (first offered to GSR employees); and a potential 500-room hotel wing. Andrew Diss, the senior vice president and chief strategy officer of Meruelo Gaming, has shepherded the GSR’s proposal. He told The Nevada Independent the resort is puzzled by the opposition. “We can’t figure it out,” Diss told the website. “In Vegas, there is a mentality that something built near the Strip, whether it’s Allegiant Stadium or the Sphere, benefits everybody. We’re building a 10,000-seat arena, and we only have 2,000 rooms at (Grand Sierra). So people coming in for concerts or anything else are going to be staying at all these other properties.” In an email to The Nevada Independent, Meruelo said the downtown casino properties leading the public-financing opposition have benefitted from tax money going to the National Bowling Stadium, Reno Events Center and Greater Nevada Field, all of which in downtown. Greater Nevada Field’s original financing plan included $2.5 million in annual property tax abatements over 20 years, totaling $50 million plus a rental-car tax to help fund the project. “While these facilities have provided substantial direct benefits to the downtown casinos, they have also burdened the City of Reno with large debts,” Meruelo told The Nevada Independent. During the meeting with the Reno Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board in February another hurdle was presented when it was pointed out TIF funding is only allowed in Nevada through 2035. The GSR is asking for TIF funding through 2055, a 20-year
Wabanaki leaders push for expanded online gambling
A bill in front of lawmakers would allow the four federally-recognized tribes in Maine to profit off games like online roulette the way they do football wagers. AUGUSTA, Maine — Leaders of the Wabanaki Nations want to expand legal online gambling to include casino-type games, arguing it would redirect black-market money towards important tribal initiatives. On Monday, the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee heard testimony bill to legalize the practice and give the tribes exclusive control over the online gambling system. That arrangement is currently in place around sports betting, which was launched in Maine in 2023. Chief William Nicholas of the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indian Township argues additional money from things like online blackjack and craps could help ease tight budgets at the tribal and state levels and deliver on essential services. “It helps us address housing needs, health disparities, elderly needs, things that are funded solely by the tribe,” Nicholas said. Last month, the Passamaquoddy Tribe in its partnership with the sportsbook DraftKings received more than $35 million in wagers, according to the Maine Gambling Control Unit. After sending out around $30 million in payouts, “adjusted gross receipts” amounted to around $4.7 million. But Nicholas argues there are many millions more caught in illegal online gambling that, if the practice is legalized, could become revenue to the state. “Those revenues should be benefiting Mainers,” he said. The push to legalize online casino gambling is not new. The Legislature shot down an identical measure presented last year. Then, as now, the fiercest resistance has come from the two state-approved casinos, Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino in Bangor. Dan Walker, a lobbyist representing Oxford Casino and its owner Churchill Downs, said expanding online gambling will hurt the business, which employs more than 350 people. “This bill would create a gaming monopoly for the Wabanaki Nations with little economic benefit to Maine,” Walker said, adding that in places where online gambling is legal, there has been a loss of brick-and-mortar jobs in the casino industry. Resistance also came from lawmakers who feared the legalization of a “casino in your pocket” would encourage addictive behavior. “There’s just no way to really control it,” Republican Sen. Jeff Timberlake, who sits on the Veteran and Legal Affairs Committee hearing the bill, said Monday. “This just makes it so somebody could sit on their living room couch and spend all sorts of money and have no control over it.” During testimony, a representative for the sportsbook DraftKings pointed out the ways in which the company can monitor concerning activity from its customers. Timberlake was not convinced. Afterward, he compared internet gambling to buying a “case of whiskey,” and equated in-person casino gambling to drinking at a bar. “If you drink too much, the bar shuts you down and sends you home,” Timberlake explained. A work session on this bill is expected in the next few weeks. For more local stories continue with us on our NEWS CENTER Maine+ streaming app. For the latest breaking news, weather, and traffic alerts, download the NEWS CENTER Maine mobile app. Don’t miss these NEWS CENTER Maine stories Source link
