Maine Approves First Blackjack Casino License

Maine is the latest US state to approve a blackjack casino license. Earlier this week, the Maine Gambling Control Board voted unanimously to allow Hollywood Slots to operate a casino. The company which currently operates the Hollywood Slots Hotel and Raceway will add 14 gaming tables and change its name to Hollywood Casino Bangor.

The Hollywood Slots Hotel and Raceway, which has been in operation since 2005, currently offers slots and off-track betting on harness racing simulcasts. From March 16, in its new avatar, it will offer Las Vegas style blackjack and poker.

In anticipation of the increase in customers the casino has hired dealers, pit bosses and shift managers. With the catering and other support staff the total number of new jobs created would be 60. The casino also plans to extend the opening hours to accommodate the spike in traffic.

In a related move, the Maine Gambling Control Board also awarded a license to Gaming Products International to distribute table games in the state. Till now no one had ever had the license to distribute table game related equipment like playing cards or poker chips in the state of Maine.

A charity event will be held in early March to launch a soft opening of the casino.

This blog entry was posted on Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 at 10:59 pm and is filed under Blackjack News.