By Clarke Canfield,Associated Press Writer

BANGOR – Hope Poulin arrived at Hollywood Slots at 6:30 a.m. Friday, the first in line to get in on the action as slot machine gambling made its debut in Maine.

By the time the doors opened at 10 a.m., the gambling hall’s parking lot was nearly full, several hundred people were lined up and the slot machines were beckoning.

“It’s about time,” said Poulin, 49, who lives in nearby Hermon and has been to casinos all over the country. “I was beginning to wonder if it was going to happen.”

Inside, 475 slot machines whirred, beeped, chimed and buzzed, and colorful lights flashed and twinkled. A brass quartet played Dixieland jazz, and bettors put their money into machines with names like “Bonus Frenzy” and “Money Tree” that took bets ranging from 2 cents to $5.

Marilyn Monroe and James Dean look-a-likes did their best imitations as they smiled and waved and greeted the crowd on a red carpet. Security guards dressed in black pants and red blazers and earphones kept an eye on the comings and goings.

In the lobby, right next to two ATM machines, a signed warned: “Do you or anyone you know have a gambling problem? For help, services and counseling, call 1-800-522-4700.”

It was all great fun for Keith Gould of Hartland, who had never been to a casino before. Within an hour, he was up $60 playing 25-cent and $1 machines. His friend from Pittsfield was down $40.

“I put in two bucks a minute ago and won back $70,” Gould said, a big grin stretched across his face.

Mainers two years approved a referendum allowing slot machines at commercial harness-racing tracks in Maine.

Bangor is the only place where they are allowed after residents gave their local approval. For now, the casino is located in a temporary facility that once housed Miller’s Restaurant down the street from the Bangor Raceway at Bass Park.

Penn National Gaming, the company that owns casinos in seven other states and Canada, spent $17 million converting Miller’s into a gambling parlor. It plans to spend an estimated $75 million on a permanent facility down the street where the Holiday Inn and Main Street Inn now stand. That site should open in two years with 1,500 slot machines.

As opening hour approached Friday, the parking lot began filling up and a 14-seat Hummer limo and an 8-seat Lincoln limo pulled up to the front door. A smattering of license plates from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and New Brunswick were spotted in the lot.

Penn National and Bangor officials dressed in suits, ties and pressed white shirts gave thanks with obligatory speeches and cut a red ribbon with a pair of oversized scissors.

The crowd waiting to get in was dressed in more casual attire with an abundance of sneakers, baseball hats, blue jeans and sweat shirts.

When 10 a.m. arrived, patrons filed through the doors to try their luck.

The atmosphere was festive, with people inserting bills and tickets into the machines. Waitresses in black shorts and blouses carried trays with drinks. With no windows or clocks, time was suspended.

Nobody knows for sure how many people will come to Hollywood Slots, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, and from noon-2 a.m. on Sunday.

But if it approaches the industry norm of $1,900 played per machine daily, it would gross more than $250 million a year. That would leave more than $25 million in income to be shared between Penn National, the state and Bangor. Penn National gets 61 percent of the income, with the remaining 39 percent going to the state. Part of the state’s money will go to supplement harness-racing purses, and the city will get a portion, as well.

Pam Christen of Madison stopped by with her daughter, who was on the job to service an ATM. She lost $20 in five minutes on a nickel machine.

“I’d rather be shopping,” she said. “If I’m going to gamble, I’d rather be at the horse track.”

Pam Miller of Nobleboro said she won $220 in the first hour. But she wasn’t all that impressed; she wanted more music, more parking, a buffet lunch and free drinks. “It’s opening day and they don’t even give us a free T-shirt? What’s that all about?” she said.

But the opening hadn’t come soon enough for Poulin, who has been to casinos in Connecticut, Nevada, Louisiana, Florida and Canada.

She thinks Hollywood Slots will be a hit.

“I travel everywhere to gamble,” she said. “I can’t imagine people not coming to Bangor for this.”

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Penn National http://www.pngaming.com/

Hollywood Slots http://www.hollywoodslotsatbangor.com/

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