Eliot recently outlined his position on casinos in Maine in a written response to a questionnaire from CasinosNO!, a group opposed to the expansion of casinos in Maine.
Please see Eliot’s answers to the questionnaire below:
1. Do you support or oppose the construction of more gambling casinos or racinos in Maine? Why or why not?
Eliot Cutler: I oppose the construction of more gambling casinos or racinos in Maine. People come to Maine for our quality of place. Offering more gambling is not a way to differentiate Maine from other places. In fact, it runs counter to – and dilutes – the strong brand that we enjoy as a state. My campaign is all about helping to create productive, sustainable economic activity in our state. Gambling doesn’t contribute to that. Most of the excessive profits from gambling go out of state, and the people who stand to lose the most money are Maine citizens, not visitors.
2. If the Legislature passes a casino bill, will you veto it?
Eliot Cutler: Absolutely.
3. Do you believe that any decision to have a casino in Maine should be made by voters in a statewide referendum?
Eliot Cutler: Yes. As you point out, the people of Maine have voted down casinos several times in the past decade and therefore it would be presumptuous and irresponsible for the Legislature and Governor to go off in a different direction without letting the voters have their say again.
4. If you favor more casinos, how do you justify your position given the fact that Maine voters have turned down slot machines and gambling casinos in statewide referendums four times since 2000?
Eliot Cutler: I don’t favor more casinos.
You can also download a PDF of the original questionnaire and Eliot’s answers here: CasinosNO! Questionnaire – Eliot Cutler.