The Oxford casino approved by voters Nov. 2 will be located on Pigeon Hill off Route 26 in Oxford, according to Rob Lally, one of the casino investors with Black Bear Entertainment LLC.

The location will be officially announced at a news conference at 10 a.m. Friday at Oxford Town Hall.

Voters approved a ballot question to allow a casino by fewer than 5,300 votes – less than 1 percentage point out of more than 556,000 votes, according to unofficial tallies.

Casino opponents are seeking a recount in last week’s election. On Tuesday, petitions with more than 150 signatures were delivered to the Secretary of State’s Office in Augusta before the 5 p.m. deadline.

Supporters of the project seemed unconcerned.

“We don’t think the recount will carry the day,” said Lally.

“This project is off and running,” said Black Bear spokesperson Mark Robinson.

Black Bear had proposed a $165 million resort that would be built in phases and include a casino, a 200-room hotel, restaurants, convention space and a spa.

Maine now has one casino, Hollywood Slots in Bangor, which has 1,000 slot machines but is prohibited by law from having table games such as blackjack and craps.


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