Maine casino proponents to turn in signatures in hopes of forcing casino referendum

Maine casino proponents hope to force referendum

AUGUSTA, Maine — A group that wants to build a casino in western Maine says it will deliver more than 100,000 signatures to election officials Tuesday to force a statewide referendum next fall.

Black Bear Entertainment LLC wants to build what it calls a four-season casino and resort in Oxford.

Maine voters have to approve the proposal before it can happen.

Black Bear Entertainment spokesman Peter Martin said he’ll deliver boxes of signatures to Maine’s secretary of state calling for a statewide vote.

If the secretary of state certifies more than 55,000 signatures, Mainers could vote on the matter next November.