Gabe speaks with Sun Journal about Oxford Casino growth
Todd Gabe, an economics professor at the University of Maine, was quoted in the Sun Journal article, “Oxford Casino grows bottom line, could see big year in 2016.” Players bet, on average, more than $831,000 per slot machine at Oxford Casino in 2015, according to a new state report — up $50,000 from the year before, the article states. Last year, more than $710 million was wagered on Oxford Casino’s slots and more than $431 million on Hollywood Casino’s slots in Bangor, according to the annual report of the Maine Gambling Control Board. Gabe, who in 2010 researched the economic impact of the then-proposed Oxford Casino, said he wasn’t surprised to see $1.14 billion gambled at the two casinos last year. His work was based on Oxford having 1,500 slot machines — part of the originally pitched resort experience — and he had forecast it could bring in even more gaming revenue, according to the article. “A lot of money goes through casinos anywhere,” Gabe said. “The experience in Bangor was when they increased the size of their facility and actually had a hotel, it was a substantial impact on the amount of gaming.” He said he expects the same effect when Hampton Inn opens across the street from the Oxford Casino this summer.