In November 2003, Indian tribes have fallen victim to the allegedly racial misdemeanors, when voters simultaneously supported infusion of hundreds of slot machines at the Bangor Raceway and bluntly headed off establishment of the gigantic casino in south Maine. At that time, several tribal leaders insisted that split decisions were a clear sign for the racial bias towards Indians. This statement was followed by prompt denial from just about everybody outside the reservations.
Slot machine referendum was not, however driven by racism, but purely by cultural, economic and social endeavors. Angus King, a governor, at that time quite convincingly drew a dreary picture of the imminent change in the family image, integrity, environment and ethics, should such a huge slot machine enterprise arise. And the crux of the matter is that the majority of revenues would not be maintained within the state borders but flow west to the Indian casino’s Las Vegas backers.
While planting slots at Bangor Raceway initiative was perceived as an innocuous venture, driven mostly by the desire to align the somewhat shattered harness racing industry, the proposition to launch a casino on reservations, seemed much more threatening. Consequently, slots at race tracks slipped quietly into the law, while everybody were occupied by a massive casino issue.
