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A University of Maine professor has recently finished a study regarding a new horse track and casino – or racino – in Calais proposed by the Passamaquoddy tribe of Maine. Todd Gabe, associate professor in the School of Economics, said the racino could earn up to $13 million in slot machine revenue, according to the UMaine Web site. Gabe said that more details are needed to make a definite assumption about how much money will actually be brought in by the racino and not other forms of existing tourism.
A racino brings together two of the biggest gambling events in the United States. Gabe’s study entailed analyzing statistics of slot machine revenues in other areas in the United States. This data were used to form a general conclusion regarding the success of racinos in Maine.
While many racinos are limited to those 21 and above, Gabe believes that this issue affects all college students. He believes this “because it is relevant to an issue that will be on the ballot in November. We all have a responsibility to learn as much as we can about state and local issues.”
The Maine Department of Corporations, Elections and Commissions said that in November, Maine residents will be asked if they wish to allow the Passamaquoddy tribe to run a racino in Washington County.
“The study provides one piece of information, which should be considered along with other economic and non-economic factors,” Gabe said.
Gabe also believes that the racino would boost Calais’ hospitality industry, as it did for Bangor when Hollywood Slots was established. Gabe was requested to conduct the study by the Passamaquoddy tribe. He has participated in several other similar projects involving harness racing, the golf industry in Maine and the state’s biotechnology industry. He said that the methods he used in this latest project were “pretty straightforward” and similar to what he teaches in his Resource and Economic Policy classes.
