by Wendy Ireland, executive director, Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association

Augusta, ME — Next week the Maine legislature will vote on LD 1203, “An act to amend the laws governing the deadline and conditions for municipal approval of a second racino and to allow a tribal racino in Washington County.”

This bill would allow a racino in Biddeford and Washington County.

In 2003, the people of the state of Maine approved a racino in Southern Maine and in November 2010, the residents of Biddeford voted overwhelmingly in favor of Biddeford Downs. The Biddeford Downs project, backed by developer Ocean Properties and Scarborough Downs, will combine harness racing with a resort hotel, entertainment complex and slots.

The tribal racino will bring harness racing to Washington County. The legislature passed a bill to allow a tribal racino in 2007 only to have the governor veto the bill. The Calais racino received a 70/30 vote in Washington County but failed narrowly state wide.

For the past several months, the entire harness racing industry in Maine has worked tirelessly towards getting this passed through the legislature. The horsemen and women have been calling their legislators every day asking for them to support harness racing in Maine.