People in the horse business promised to support the racino plan.

PORTLAND (AP) – A Las Vegas developer who paid for the petition drive, wrote the law and helped fund the successful racino referendum campaign also has secured a written agreement of support from the state’s racing industry.

Before the Nov. 4 vote, Shawn Scott had a signed agreement in which track officials, horsemen and breeders promised to support his proposal during the campaign and as it goes before Maine Harness Racing Commission.

A copy of the 11-page agreement shows how far the groups were willing to go to help one another as well as Scott and his company, Capital Seven LLC.

All groups agreed to support the referendum campaign for slots at the tracks in public and private, and to work together to legalize slot machines at off-track betting parlors in addition to tracks.

They also agreed to support Capital Seven and Bangor Historic Track as it goes before the Maine Harness Racing Commission for a racing license and race dates.

A track needs a racing license before installing slot machines.

Each group agreed “not to oppose, challenge, appeal or otherwise make any objection” when the Maine Harness Racing Commission takes up Shawn Scott’s request for a racing license next month, according to the document.

The parties agreed to give “complete and unequivocal support for Capital Seven, Shawn Scott and its affiliated persons or entities in any ‘good moral character’ determination required with respect to Capital Seven or any of its affiliated persons or entities,” the document said.

Kurt Adams, chief counsel to Gov. John Baldacci, said industry groups and associations are allowed to make agreements to try to influence legislative or regulatory processes.

“That being said, I was surprised when I read the agreement, not from a legal perspective as much from a citizen perspective – that there is a contractual obligation for individuals to attest to the good moral character of another individual,” Adams said.

William Childs, a director of the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, said his group did not have a problem supporting the provision, assuming Scott is of good moral character.

“If we find dead bodies in his backyard, we will not be supporting him,” Childs said.

Ed MacColl, lawyer for Scarborough Downs, said the agreement was widely distributed before the election, and that the Maine Harness Racing Commission was fully aware of it.

The agreement was intended to assure people that the law, although it had flaws, would be amended in the Legislature, he said.