We thought the law allowing slot machines at horse racetracks was a bad deal before voters approved it on Nov. 4. Everything we’ve seen about the issue since then has confirmed our misgivings.

According to an Associated Press story Monday, the financial deal approved in the referendum gives the owners of racetracks in Maine – specifically Shawn Scott, whose Capital Seven LLC backed the initiative and who owns 49 percent of the track in Bangor – a sweet deal. A full 75 percent of the proceeds from slot machines will be kept by the tracks. The remaining 25 percent will be split among the state and several groups, but none of the money will go to Maine’s general fund.

In other states that allow slot machines at racetracks, the split on the take is much more generous. Tracks in Delaware, Iowa, New Mexico, New York and West Virginia get or will get between 40 and 50 percent of slot revenue. And, in Ontario, the government gets as much as 80 percent.

Maine voters agreed to those terms, but the Legislature is free to amend the law to make them better.

But other bothersome details of racino wheeling and dealing are seeing the light of day, perhaps too late.

An agreement made before the campaign tied horsemen into supporting Scott’s bid for a racing license. The deal between Scott, Scarborough Downs, harness racers and the owners of off-track betting parlors committed the parties to work together for the greater good – of gambling and slot machines that is.

Scott, it would appear, is breaking up the group.

A new political action committee, Good Morals for Maine, has joined the fight to stop Scarborough Downs from receiving the local support it needs to add slots to its track in southern Maine.

Good Morals for Maine, according to published reports, shares a fax number with the Maine Coalition for Racing and Slots, the Scott-funded organization behind the pro-slot machine campaign in the first place. Both of these “Maine” PACs have Las Vegas fax machines.

Our list of good morals doesn’t include shortchanging the state, burning business partners or fabricating an anti-gambling, grass-roots opponent to stymie a potential competitor. Then again, maybe it’s all just part of the slots bargain.
A tribute
Retired Chief John C. Bryant served on the Paris Fire Department for 53 years. He died Friday at the age of 75.

More than 400 firefighters, family members and friends attended a memorial service Monday at the town’s fire station.

The solemn event, complete with color guard and bagpipes, was a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated much of his life to the service and protection of others.
Correction
Apologies to Roger Theriault, whose first name was reported incorrectly in an editorial that appeared Nov. 25. Theriault is the owner and arena manager for Central Maine Civic Center.
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