Maine’s main gambling regulator, Milton Champion, is facing a mutiny from his casino inspectors who accuse him of unilaterally “deregulating casinos … without input from the voting public” and of creating a “deeply dysfunctional and toxic workplace environment.”
An open letter signed by all nine of Champion's inspectors was released on Wednesday by the public services union MSEA-SEIU Local 1989. Champion, the executive director of the Maine Gambling Control Unit since 2016, is not regarded favorably in the letter.
In a press statement that goes along with it, Local 1989 states that the inspectors are unable to supervise the state's two casinos, Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino Bangor, on Sundays and Mondays due to recently implemented changes to work schedules.
“Casino gambling … was a highly contentious issue in Maine in 2003 when it was passed by voters and legalized,” Mark Brunton, president of Local 1989, said in a statement. “One of the concerns was to make sure it was well-regulated to protect the citizens of Maine. That’s the important role that our inspectors play. They need to be on the job whenever the casinos are open.”
Because the Maine Gambling Control Board has rejected Champion's proposals in the past, the inspectors allege in their letter that Champion "does not respect" its monitoring.
"Now, rather than subject himself to the checks and balances of the Board’s oversight function, Milton Champion is circumventing the Board altogether by making unilateral decisions that completely undermine the Board’s ability to oversee gambling matters in Maine.”
The inspectors assert that the Maine Gambling Control Unit's ability to oversee casino gambling has been irreversibly impaired by the fact that "many of these decisions make very little sense, are based on false data."
Other complaints center on Champion's purported inability to “properly compensate” his inspectors for their work and his unwillingness to address any of the aforementioned concerns.
“We must make it known that Milton Champion has repeatedly shown a lack of respect for our legal rights and processes spelled out in our union contract, has retaliated against us individually and as a group, and has created a deeply dysfunctional and toxic workplace environment,” the letter states.
At the time of publication, Champion has not reacted to a request for comment regarding the letter from Casino.org. The Portland Press Herald was informed by Steven Silver, the chair of the Maine Gambling Control Board, that "under Director Champion, things have been running very smoothly and very profitably from a purely operational standpoint."
Silver also said he had concerns about the decision-making process involved in the timetable adjustment and that he was aware of complaints regarding a hostile work environment.
Champion has previously found himself in a precarious circumstance. He was put on administrative leave in May 2024 for using a sexist insult in one of his tweets and maybe endorsing a white supremacist march in another.
In response to a commenter who felt it was improper to refer to a group of women as "ladies," the regulator responded on May 6 of that year.
“In this day and age, I guess ‘bitches’ is better,” he suggested.
Then, just over a week later, he reacted to images of a white nationalist march on the US Capitol with: “At least they are not burning down or looting stores.”
Providing clear guidelines helps players understand the rules, game mechanics, and odds, fostering trust in the casino's operations.
A comprehensive player guide ensures that all games are fair and that players are aware of their rights, promoting a level playing field.
Emphasizing responsible gaming practices educates players about limits and tools available for managing their gambling behavior, enhancing player safety.
A trustworthy platform outlines secure payment methods and data protection measures, reassuring players about their financial safety.
Clear guidance on how to access support channels helps players resolve issues quickly, building confidence in the casino’s commitment to customer care.
Establishing a reputation for transparency and fairness attracts more players, creating a loyal community that values integrity in online gambling.
You could get more out of the site's promotions and welcome bonuses by choosing a casino bonus that matches your tastes and playing style.
1. Click on the Sign-Up/Register Button
2. Fill in the Registration Form
3. Verify Your Identity
4. Set Up Payment Methods
5. Make Your First Deposit
The amount of money you have to bet before using your bonus payments to obtain real money is known as a deposit requirement.
Enjoy yourself by playing lots of games and putting bets after you have placed a deposit!
Pushed casinos are online gaming sites that are actively pushed and endorsed by many sources, including affiliates, influencers, and websites. These casinos are usually prominently included in lists and advertising because of their enticing promotions, great games, and dependable services.
Discovering a reliable and entertaining platform in the constantly growing world of online casinos can be just as difficult as striking it rich. With so many choices out there, each offering a different combination of games, bonuses, and features, it's critical to have a trustworthy system in place for assessing these websites. Here's where we get involved. Our goal is to give our readers confidence and clarity. Our extensive evaluation procedure is intended to separate the good casinos from the bad ones. We examine every aspect, from customer service and security protocols to bonus diversity and casino quality.
Alluring incentives and promos have the power to improve gameplay and create value. To find out how beneficial welcome incentives are to players, we offer a range of terms.
You can find email addresses for a certain online casino in our evaluations, giving you the chance to get in touch with them in case you need help from a specialist.
One important feature of a trustworthy online casino is responsible gaming. We examine the accessibility and efficacy of measures for responsible gambling, like deposit caps, reality checks, and self-exclusion, to help gamers keep control over their gaming behaviors.
Payment choices are crucial in terms of convenience and variety for both deposits and withdrawals. We examine the accepted payment options offered by the casino to make sure customers enjoy a smooth financial transaction.