BIDDEFORD — Former Gov. Angus King lent his voice to racino opponents on the eve of a citywide vote on whether Biddeford should host a harness racetrack and slot machine complex.
King criticized such gambling ventures as harmful, saying that addiction takes an enormous human toll. He also questioned their effectiveness as economic development tools.
“The truth is, these things don’t create economic development and new jobs. They just take money from one part of the economy – the local economy – and put it to someone else,” King said.
King said the proposed racino is a statewide issue that is going to affect all Mainers, especially in southern Maine.
King was among the speakers at a rally organized by Citizens Against a Bad Deal, the political action committee opposing the ballot question.
Since the issue was put on the ballot, Scarborough Downs and Ocean Properties have announced a proposal to build a racino resort complex on Andrews Road, west of the Maine Turnpike,
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