Anti-Gambling Group Fights Slots Operation in Maine
According to a recent report, No Slots for ME!, a group of slots opponents, has joined efforts with the Christian Civic League of Maine and Maine Grassroots Coalition, in order to force a statewide vote on prohibiting slot machine operation in 2006. The organizations are trying to collect the required number of signatures to realize their goal.
No Slots for ME! has been working for almost a year now and rough estimations demonstrate that, currently, the organization is approximately 25,000 signatures short. The anti-gambling group has now obtained experienced allies, which are expected to give the anti-slots campaign a better chance at success. In the beginning of 2005, the two conservative Christian groups collected almost 57,000 signatures in less than three months for another statewide campaign.
Maine legislative authorities permit slots gaming in Bangor only. The continued slots opposition conflicts with Bangor's perception of slot machines as a tool that is expected to give the local economy a significant boost. Frank Farrington, Chairman of the City Council, was reported as saying that Bangor residents are willing to give slots a chance.
