VLA 127th Session Bills

Gaming LDs / Bills for the 127th Maine Legislative Session

The 127th Maine Legislature convened on December 3, 2014 and Adjourned on August 4, 2016

LD/Bill LD 104
Sponsor Sen. John L. Patrick (D - Oxford)
Title An Act To Increase Gaming Opportunities for Charitable Veterans' Organizations
Summary This bill permits the Department of Public Safety, Gambling Control Board, beginning January 1, 2016, to issue a license to a charitable nonprofit organization that is a veterans' organization that is tax-exempt under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to operate up to 3 slot machines on premises that have been owned, rented or leased by the organization for at least 2 consecutive years, that serve as its primary administrative operations headquarters and that are located in a municipality that has, by referendum of the voters, approved the operation of slot machines in that municipality. The charitable nonprofit veterans' organization must be able to demonstrate that it has a cash reserve of $1,000 for each machine the organization intends to operate. A charitable nonprofit veterans' organization that wishes to apply prior to January 1, 37 2016 may file a declaration of intent to apply with the Gambling Control Board. An application must include a refundable $2,500 deposit. The initial application fee for a slot machine operator license is $500, and the annual renewal fee is $175. A slot machine operated by a charitable nonprofit veterans' organization is subject to the same central site monitoring that applies to casinos and slot machine facilities at harness racing tracks. The total number of slot machines allowed to be operated by charitable nonprofit veterans' organizations statewide between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016 is 80; beginning January 1, 2017 the number increases to 150. The bill provides that 10% of the net slot machine income from a charitable nonprofit veterans' organization is required to be deposited directly with the Gambling Control Board for administrative expenses; 8% goes directly to the General Fund; 10% goes to the host municipality; and 2% is dedicated to gambling addiction prevention and treatment. A charitable nonprofit veterans’ organization that is licensed to operate slot machines is required to establish a separate account, from which the board may withdraw funds to distribute the net revenue percentages. The remaining revenue generated from the slot machines must be used to support the charitable purposes of the veterans' organization.
Status  Leave to Withdraw April 14, 2015
LD/Bill LD 516
Sponsor Rep. Louis J. Luchini (D - Ellsworth)
Title An Act Regarding Gaming
Summary This bill clarifies the authority of the State Liquor and Lottery Commission with regard to the conduct of lotteries. It provides that lotteries may include draw games in which the prize paid is calculated as a share of the prize pool but may not include draw games, such as keno, in which the player wins a set prize amount based on the wager made by the player.
Status PASSED MAY 20, 2015 (Veto Overridden)
LD/Bill LD 555
Sponsor Rep. Henry John Bear (I - the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians)
Title An Act To Distribute a Portion of Proceeds from the Oxford Casino to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the Aroostook Band of Micmacs
Summary This bill provides the Aroostook Band of Micmacs and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians the same distribution of net slot machine income from casino slot machines operated in Oxford County as is provided to the Penobscot Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe under current law.
Status LEAVE TO WITHDRAW MARCH 10, 2015
LD/Bill LD 620
Sponsor Rep. John J. Picchiotti (R - Fairfield)
Title An Act To Allow Veterans' Organizations To Own and Operate Slot Machines
Summary This bill authorizes the Department of Public Safety, Gambling Control Board to issue licenses for the operation of slot machines to charitable nonprofit organizations and off-track betting facilities. A charitable nonprofit organization must have been a bona fide nonprofit for at least 2 years prior to October 1, 2014 and must own or lease the premises on which the slot machines are operated. An eligible nonprofit charitable organization is limited to 5 slot machines. Facilities licensed as off-track betting facilities are limited to machines per facility. The bill increases the statewide limit on the 30 number of slot machines to be operated from 3,000 to 3,250. A charitable nonprofit organization authorized to operate slot machines is required to distribute 30% of net slot machine revenue to the board to be divided among the Gambling Control Board, gambling addiction and treatment programs, the General Fund and the host municipality. An off-track betting facility is required to distribute 45% of net slot machine revenue to the board to be divided among the Gambling Control Board, gambling addiction and treatment programs, the General Fund, the host municipality and the Coordinated Veterans Assistance Fund.
Status NOT PASSED MAY 14, 2015 (Ought Not to Pass Pursuant To Joint Rule 310)
LD/Bill LD 762
Sponsor Rep. Theodore Bear Mitchell I (X - Penobscot Nation)
Title An Act To Permit the Penobscot Nation To Operate Electronic High-stakes Bingo
Summary This bill authorizes the Penobscot Nation to use electronic beano terminals for the operation of high-stakes electronic beano. It specifies that an electronic beano terminal is not a slot machine or an illegal gambling machine. An electronic beano terminal plays a game of chance resembling a beano game using a draw of no more than 75 letters and numbers that correspond to the game. The element of chance is determined by a central computer server system that is subject to testing by an independent testing company and to which the Chief of the State Police is provided access via the Internet for the purpose of conducting audits and monitoring play. An electronic beano terminal is not permitted to dispense cash or prizes. Instead, prizes for high-stakes electronic beano are awarded by voucher. The bill also clarifies that, unlike traditional beano, beano conducted on an electronic beano terminal is not required to be a group game.
Status NOT PASSED MAY 5, 2015 (Ought Not to Pass Pursuant To Joint Rule 310)
LD/Bill LD 838
Sponsor Rep. John J. Picchiotti (R - Fairfield)
Title An Act To Enhance Equity and Efficiency for Off-track Betting Facilities
Summary This bill adjusts the distribution of commissions on simulcasting of races with commingled pools originating at a racetrack in another state by an off-track betting facility without reducing the portion of those revenues that benefit the State. In addition, the bill eliminates the off-track betting facility simulcast fund share received by a commercial track whose parent company is owned or operated or owned and operated by a casino in this State. The bill also modifies the requirement that an off-track betting facility operator be a liquor license holder, but maintains the requirement that an off-track betting facility be situated in a facility that is licensed to serve liquor and food. The bill also eliminates the requirement for at least 150 race dates in the preceding 2 calendar years before interstate simulcasting or the licensing of an off-track betting facility is allowed.
Status PASSED JUNE 16, 2015
LD/Bill LD 997
Sponsor Rep. Michael G. Devin (D - Newcastle)
Title Resolve, Authorizing Legislation To Streamline the Laws Governing the Licensing and Conduct of Beano and Games of Chance
Summary This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208. This bill proposes to streamline licensing and registration requirements for veterans' organizations and the method of payments by those veterans' organizations.
Status NOT PASSED APRIL 29, 2016 (Died On Adjournment)
LD/Bill LD1066
Sponsor Rep. Henry John Bear (I - The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians)
Title An Act To Provide for the Licensing of a Casino Owned by the Maliseet Tribal Government on Tribal Lands in Aroostook County
Summary This bill authorizes the Department of Public Safety, Gambling Control Board to  issue a casino license to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. A casino licensed under this bill would be located on tribal land in the Town of Houlton and would be limited to 350 slot machines at the facility. The casino would be required to distribute 35% of net slot machine income and 16% of net table game income to scholarships at secondary educational institutions in the State, federally recognized Indian tribes in the State, gambling addiction services, agricultural fairs, harness racing purses, the casino host county and municipality, Washington County and multiple municipalities in both Aroostook and Washington counties, the Coordinated Veterans Assistance Fund and other funds. Approval for the casino is contingent on a referendum vote in Aroostook County. The bill also provides that the initial application fee of $225,000 is not due until the casino has been in operation for one calendar year. The bill also amends existing law that requires entities receiving slot machine revenue to report on how those funds are spent.
Status NOT PASSED MAY 5, 2015 (Ought Not to Pass Pursuant To Joint Rule 310)
LD/Bill LD 1213
Sponsor Rep. Karen Vachon (R - Scarborough)
Title An Act To Ensure Fair Competition by and between Maine's Commercial Tracks
Summary This bill eliminates the deadline for local approval of the operation of slot machines or a casino at a commercial track in the State and allows the commercial track greater latitude in relocating to a municipality that supports the commercial track and harness racing as long as the commercial track does not relocate closer to any existing casino or slot machine facility. The bill also requires that gaming operations be located at the racetrack as part of a fully integrated destination resort and also requires a one-time competitive bidding and fair market value license fee to be determined by the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services. The bill provides that most of the revenues distributed from the commercial track are credited to the General Fund.
Status NOT PASSED MAY 5, 2015 (Ought Not to Pass Pursuant To Joint Rule 310)
LD/Bill LD 1279
Sponsor Rep. John J. Picchiotti (R - Fairfield)
Title An Act To Authorize Advance Deposit Wagering for Horse Racing
Summary This bill establishes a framework for the conduct of advance deposit wagering on harness and thoroughbred racing. The bill provides that commercial tracks and established off-track betting facilities are eligible for a license to accept wagers made by telephone or electronic communication using advance deposit wagering. Advance deposit wagering is a form of pari-mutuel wagering in which a bettor establishes an account from which wagers on horse races are made and into which prizes are deposited. An advance deposit wager licensee receives a percentage of each wager made using advance deposit wagering. Advance deposit wagering licenses are issued by the State Harness Racing Commission. The bill prescribes the duties of the commission with regard to enforcement and administration of laws and rules that govern advance deposit wagering. The bill also authorizes multijurisdictional account wagering providers from outside the State to provide advance deposit wagering
Status PASSED APRIL 29, 2016 (Veto Overridden 4/29/16)
LD/Bill LD 1280
Sponsor Rep. Wayne R. Parry (R - Arundel)
Title An Act To Provide Income Tax Relief by Expanding Gaming Opportunities
Summary

This bill establishes the Independent Facility Location Commission to solicit bids for the operation of a casino to be located in Cumberland County or York County. The commission must select the best-value bidder to be issued a casino operator license by the Department of Public Safety, Gambling Control Board for an initial license fee of $5,000,000. The winning bidder must construct a destination resort gaming facility with harness racing, slot machines and table games and a resort that includes a hotel, spa, pool, multiple dining options, entertainment venue, retail space and harness racing track. The casino must be approved by the voters of the county in which it is to be located and by the municipal officers or municipality in which the casino is to be located. The casino operator must enter into an agreement with the municipality where the slot machines are located that provides for revenue sharing or other compensation of at least 3% of the net slot machine income. The limit on the number of slot machines that may be registered in the State is raised from 3,000 to 7,500. The bill establishes the Income Tax Relief Fund. Allocations from the fund must be made to provide income tax relief to the citizens of this State. The casino operator must distribute 46% of net slot machine income and 16% of net table game income to the Gambling Control Board for distribution by the board as follows: 

1. Two and one-half percent to the General Fund for the administrative expenses of the Gambling Control Board and for the Gambling Addiction Prevention and 38 Treatment Fund

2. Twenty percent to supplement harness racing purses;

3. Five percent to the Sire Stakes Fund;

4. Eight and one-half percent to the Agricultural Fair Support Fund;

5. Three percent to the municipality in which the slot machines and table games are located;

6. Five percent to the county in which the slot machines and table games are located;

7. Two percent to the municipalities that abut the municipality in which the slot machines and table games are located;

8. Two and one-half percent to the Fund to Stabilize Off-track Betting Facilities;

9. One and one-half percent to the Coordinated Veterans Assistance Fund; and

10. Fifty percent to the Income Tax Relief Fund.
Status NOT PASSED MARCH 28, 2016 (Ought Not to Pass)
LD/Bill LD 1283
Sponsor Sen. Linda M. Valentino (D - York)
Title An Act To Stimulate Economic Development and Create Jobs by Amending the Laws Governing Gaming
Summary This bill establishes 5 regions in the State for the operation of casinos. Region 1 includes York County and the Town of Scarborough in Cumberland County. Region 2 includes Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford and Cumberland counties, with the exception of the Town of Scarborough in Cumberland County. Region 3 includes Penobscot, Somerset, Waldo, Lincoln, Sagadahoc and Knox counties. Region 4 includes Washington and Hancock counties. Region 5 includes Aroostook and Piscataquis counties. If a region does not have a casino or if an existing casino ceases operation, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services is required to administer a competitive bid process for the privilege to operate a casino, subject to application to and investigation by the Gambling Control Board. Bids in region 1 are granted preference if the bidder is associated with the operator of an existing commercial harness racing track in that region. Bids in regions 4 and 5 are given preference if the operator is associated with a federally recognized Indian tribe eligible to conduct high-stakes beano in that region. The bill provides for a staggered schedule for the authorization of casinos in regions where casinos are not currently operated. The bill provides for minimum bids and requirements for a minimum number of slot machines, table games and other amenities at a facility in each region. Each bidder is also required to submit a nonrefundable privilege fee intended to mitigate the costs of administering the competitive bid process by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services and meet the costs of background checks and investigations conducted by the Gambling Control Board. The bill establishes distribution of table game and slot machine revenue for casinos and specifies that the revenue must be used for the purposes specifically described unless otherwise authorized. This distribution will apply to all casinos and slot machine facilities operated in the State as soon as a casino in Region 1 is authorized via the competitive bid process. If an alternative purpose is authorized for the table game or slot machine revenue, all distributions must be reduced in equal proportion.
Status NOT PASSED MAY 5, 2015 (Ought Not to Pass Pursuant To Joint Rule 310)
LD/Bill LD 1292
Sponsor Rep. Karleton S. Ward (R - Dedham)
Title An Act To Allow for Super Cribbage Tournaments
Summary The purpose of this bill is to support and enhance tourism in the State by authorizing the Chief of the State Police to issue up to 3 licenses per year for the conduct of a super cribbage tournament
Status PASSED JUNE 12, 2015
LD/Bill LD 1346
Sponsor Rep. Diane Russell (D - Portland)
Title An Act To Establish a Comprehensive Gaming Policy
Summary This bill authorizes the Department of Public Safety, Gambling Control Board to issue 2 casino licenses, one in the southern region of the State, which includes York County and Cumberland County, and one in the northern region of the State, which includes Penobscot County, Washington County and Aroostook County. In order to be eligible to apply for a casino license, an applicant must be awarded the privilege to submit an application pursuant to a competitive bidding process. The competitive bidding process is administered by a site location commission established by this bill. The Casino Site Location Commission consists of 5 members appointed by the Governor subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over casino gaming and confirmation by the Senate. The bill provides that commission members may not have a conflict of interest and are prohibited from representing or being employed by gambling interests during their term on the commission and for 5 years after their term ends. Under the bill, a successful bidder for a casino in the southern region of the State must propose a capital investment of at least $250,000,000 exclusive of license fees, land acquisition and off-site improvements. The initial fee for a southern region casino is $5,000,000 for a 5-year license term in addition to a $250,000 application fee and $100,000 investigative fee. The renewal fee for a southern region casino is $250,000. A successful bidder for a casino in the northern region of the State must propose a minimum capital investment of $25,000,000 exclusive of license fees, land acquisition and off-site improvements. The initial fee for a northern region casino is $1,000,000 for a 5-year license term in addition to a $100,000 application fee and a $100,000 investigative fee. The renewal fee for a northern region casino is $100,000. The bill provides factors that the commission is directed to consider when reviewing bids for the privilege to submit an application to operate a casino. Examples of those factors include: how the proposal from a bidder will result in the highest potential benefit to the State based on documented, expert market analyses, the potential of the proposed facility to serve as a tourism destination and how the proposal will preserve existing jobs and preserve new full-time jobs in the State. For a casino bid in the southern region, the commission must consider the bidder’s experience operating a commercial harness racing track and how the casino will benefit the harness racing industry and associated businesses. For the casino bid in the northern region, the commission is directed to consider how the proposal will provide the greatest benefit to one or all of the federally recognized Indian tribes in the State, particularly by proposing operation and ownership by one or more of the tribes. With regard to the location of a northern region casino, the commission is directed to consider either the proposed facility's proximity to the Canadian border and major transportation routes or whether it will be located where gaming is currently conducted by a federally recognized Indian tribe regardless of whether that facility will be within miles of a casino licensed prior to January 1, 2015. Finally, the bill provides that the required revenue distributions from casinos licensed 30 before January 1, 2015 be held by the Gambling Control Board until a uniform distribution structure of slot machine and table game revenue is enacted by the Legislature.
Status NOT PASSED MAY 5, 2015 (Ought Not to Pass Pursuant To Joint Rule 310)
LD/Bill LD 1357
Sponsor Rep. Jonathan L. Kinney (R - Limington)
Title An Act To Implement the Findings of the WhiteSand Gaming Study
Summary This bill authorizes the Department of Public Safety, Gambling Control Board to issue 2 casino licenses, one in the southern region of the State, which includes York County and Cumberland County, and one in the northern region of the State, which includes Penobscot County, Washington County and Aroostook County. In order to be eligible to apply for a casino license, an applicant must be awarded the privilege to submit an application pursuant to a competitive bidding process. The competitive bidding process is administered by a site location commission established by this bill. The Casino Site Location Commission consists of 5 members appointed by the Governor subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over casino gaming and confirmation by the Senate. The bill provides that commission members may not have a conflict of interest and are prohibited from representing or being employed by gambling interests during their term on the commission and for 5 years after their term ends. Under the bill, a successful bidder for a casino in the southern region of the State must propose a capital investment of at least $250,000,000 exclusive of license fees, land acquisition and off-site improvements. The initial fee for a southern region casino is $5,000,000 for a 5-year license term in addition to a $250,000 application fee and $100,000 investigative fee. The renewal fee for a southern region casino is $250,000. A successful bidder for a casino in the northern region of the State must propose a minimum capital investment of $25,000,000 exclusive of license fees, land acquisition and off-site improvements. The initial fee for a northern region casino is $1,000,000 for a 5-year license term in addition to a $100,000 application fee and a $100,000 investigative fee. The renewal fee for a northern region casino is $100,000. The bill provides factors that the commission is directed to consider when reviewing bids for the privilege to submit an application to operate a casino. Examples of those factors include: how the proposal from a bidder will result in the highest potential benefit to the State based on documented, expert market analyses, the potential of the proposed facility to serve as a tourism destination and how the proposal will preserve existing jobs and create new full-time jobs in the State. For the casino bid in the northern region, the commission is directed to consider how the proposal will provide the greatest benefit to one or all of the federally recognized Indian tribes in the State, particularly by proposing operation and ownership by one or more of the tribes. Finally, the bill authorizes the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs to submit a bill establishing a uniform distribution structure for slot machine and table game revenue to the Legislature.
Status NOT PASSED MAY 5, 2015 (Ought Not to Pass Pursuant To Joint Rule 310)
LD/Bill LD 1446
Sponsor Submitted by the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs pursuant to Resolve 2013 chapter 111, section 3.
Title An Act To Authorize a Casino To Benefit Federally Recognized Indian Tribes in the State
Summary This bill is presented by the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs pursuant to Resolve 2013, chapter 111. The bill establishes a competitive bid process for a casino in either Washington County or Aroostook County, the operation of which is stated to maximize economic and employment benefits for the 4 federally recognized Indian tribes in the State. The bill establishes the Casino Development Commission, which is an independent board of 5 members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The commission's purpose is to develop a request for proposals for the privilege to submit an application to the Gambling Control Board for a casino operator license. Prior to the commission's submitting a request for proposals for a casino operator license in either Washington County or Aroostook County, voters would have to approve the operation of a casino by a countywide referendum. The referendum must be held on the same date as a statewide election and no sooner than June 1, 2016 and no later than July 1, 2017. The fee to submit a bid to the commission is $100,000. The bill provides for specific supporting information to be submitted by the bidder and considered by the commission including the bidder's ability to make a minimum $20,000,000 capital investment in the casino and partnership with at least 2 federally recognized Indian tribes in the State. Under the bill, the commission is directed to develop a point system for the factors to be considered in evaluating proposals and give priority to proposals that maximize the employment and economic benefits to federally recognized Indian tribes in the State. The winning bidder must enter into a contract with the commission that obligates the casino operator to abide by the proposals made in the winning bid. Failure to abide by the terms of the contract could result in financial penalties to the operator. The license fee for a casino under the bill is $1,000,000 for a 5-year term with a renewal fee of $100,000. The bill sets the distribution of net slot machine revenue for the casino at 46% and sets the distribution of net table game revenue for the casino at 16%. The bill authorizes the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs to submit legislation establishing a distribution of the slot machine and table game revenue required to be paid by the casino
Status NOT PASSED JUNE 23, 2015 (Died Between Houses, 6/23/2015)