PORTLAND (AP) – The two sides in racino referendums in Saco and Westbrook spent a combined total of nearly $1.4 million, a sum that one expert says is more in line with a U.S. Senate race or a statewide ballot question.

Fewer than 11,500 voters cast ballots on Dec. 30 as the two cities turned thumbs down on proposals that would open the door to a harness track with slot machines.

Nearly all of the campaign money came from racino backer Penn National Gaming and two anti-racino groups, Casinos No! and Maine Opportunities. The pro-racino campaign spending translates to roughly $137 dollars per vote; the per-vote cost to opponents was about $111.

Campaign finance reports show Penn National, a Pennsylvania-based gaming company, spent $565,500 on the month-long campaign, primarily on television and radio ads.

Casinos No!, a Maine-based committee opposed to gambling in the state, spent $280,000.

Maine Opportunities, an organization opposed to the creation of a southern Maine racino, spent $480,000, all of which came from Waterways Investments of North Reddington Beach, Fla.

The treasurer for Maine Opportunities, Kathleen Newman, has said that Las Vegas investor Shawn Scott’s company, Capital Seven, financed the committee. Scott is the would-be operator of a racino at Bangor Raceway, who agreed last month to sell his rights to the track and slots to Penn National.

The issue of a southern Maine racino is now in the hands of the Legislature. Lawmakers are debating changes to the new law that would allow the Downs and Penn National to hold additional local referendums.

AP-ES-02-11-04 0810EST