Hollywood Slots in Maine to introduce blackjack
Blackjack in racino

Today’s fierce competition in the gambling industry is felt not only in Las Vegas or Atlantic City but even in the rural wilderness of Maine

The sole racino in the entire state of Maine is the Hollywood Slots in Bangor which combines a racing track with an adjacent gaming floor filled with slot machines.

The racino, close to its last breath, is seeking approval from state lawmakers to add table games including the ever popular blackjack card games and poker to its menu. The addition of blackjack and poker is crucial to the survival of the Hollywood Slots once the new casino in the neighboring Oxford County will shortly open its doors.

The Oxford County Casino was approved last November, and will host a variety of table games which are not permitted inside Hollywood Slots due to its legal classification as a racino. In order to stay in business, Hollywood Slots must legally upgrade its status from that of a racino to a casino.

Bangor Republican, Douglas Damon, supports the racino’s move for the upgraded status which is sure to bring tourists well versed in losing black jack strategies and an increase in tax revenues needed to stimulate the local economy.

In his recent statement Damon said: “We want to open up the casino in Bangor, make it a more of a rewarding experience for the people that come there. And with the casino going in in Oxford County, and then one in Bangor, it allows eastern Maine, western Maine, people from Canada, to have access directly into a place. Our facility will not be as good as the neighbors which just isn’t fair.”

This is just one of a string of gambling related proposals under consideration by Maine’s lawmakers. The legislature, much like many other states, is not very pleased with expanding gambling operations throughout the state yet the empty tax coffers offer it few choices.

Other proposals on the agenda include a citizen-initiated proposal to introduce racinos in Biddeford and Washington Counties, and various bills to permit non-profit groups easier entry into the gambling market.