AUGUSTA – Oxford County lawmakers said local support shown by voters last fall prompted them to revive efforts to expand gambling into their area.

Rep. Sawin Millett, R-Waterford, and Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Dixfield, each offered proposals before the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee during public hearings on Monday.

Millett’s measure revived the idea of a full casino featuring table games as well as slot machines.

Bryant’s bill would allow for a racino in Oxford County and one in Washington County.

Both legislators pointed to local voter approval of a statewide referendum last fall that would have allowed for a casino in Oxford County.

“The vote failed statewide, but carried very favorably in several counties, including Oxford, Franklin and Androscoggin,” Millett said.

The creation of a casino would also spur economic development in an area of the state where it is desperately needed, Millet said.

Bryant asked the committee to hold his proposal over to the next legislative session so he can foster greater consensus among stakeholders.

“We didn’t have all the parties at the table when we drafted the bill,” he said.

Bob Welch, executive director of the state Gambling Control Board, testified in opposition to both bills, citing administrative costs and Gov. John Baldacci’s position that all gambling expansion initiatives should be put to a statewide referendum before taken up by the Legislature.

The committee will schedule work sessions on the bills in the coming weeks.

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