PORTLAND (AP) – A Las Vegas-based casino operator who plans to bring slot machines to Bangor Raceway hopes to approach the owner of Scarborough Downs about becoming a partner in a “racino” in Saco.

Hoolae Paoa, a business associate of Shawn Scott, said it’s possible that other backers have the same idea. Scott, who launched the Maine racino campaign, runs casinos and racinos and heads a Las Vegas company called Capital Seven that owns 49 percent of Bangor Raceway.

If Bangor Raceway adds 1,500 slot machines and Scarborough Downs does the same, the two “racinos” – horse tracks with slot machines – would have nearly as many slot machines as were proposed for a casino. Mainers rejected a statewide casino referendum Nov. 4 that would have allowed a $650 million casino and resort, with 4,000 slot machines, to be built in southern Maine.

At the same time, however, voters approved a referendum allowing slot machines at Bangor Raceway and Scarborough Downs, but only if the host town also approves them in a referendum by Dec. 31.

Bangor voters previously voted in favor of a racino, but Scarborough residents voted against one in their town.

Scarborough Downs owner Sharon Terry is now proposing to have a vote in Saco so she could build a track with slot machines there. Terry and her attorney could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Paoa said racino critics are wrong when they compare racinos to casinos. He said casino resorts attract big spenders and high rollers who hope to win “life-changing” amounts of money. They also draw customers who expect to stay several days and take advantage of shopping and other amenities at the resort.

But the typical racino customer is over 50, close to or at retirement, has some savings, and spends money that would otherwise be spent on other forms of entertainment, such as movies or bingo, he said.

“The typical player goes with the idea of spending a couple of hundred dollars and plays for four hours,” he said.

Valerie Landry, a former former state labor commissioner and a leading opponent of the casino, said given the scope of the plans by Scarborough Downs, voters may as well have approved a casino in southern Maine.

“This is essentially a casino,” she said.

Capital Seven estimates its 1,500 slot machines at Bangor Raceway will generate about $70 million a year and net the company about $40 million after payouts to the state and operating costs, said Paoa.

Martin J. Gersten, a lawyer for Scott and Capital Seven, said a racino at Scarborough Downs would gross anywhere from $75 million to $125 million annually because of the higher population in southern Maine, more tourists and the proximity of Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

AP-ES-11-14-03 0215EST

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