Maine Casino Inspectors Call for Chief Regulator’s Resignation

Maine Casino Inspectors Demand Resignation of Chief Regulator Amid Accusations of Mismanagement

Maine’s gambling landscape is embroiled in controversy as all nine casino inspectors have called for the resignation of the Maine Gambling Control Unit’s (MGCU) executive director, Milton Champion. The inspectors allege a dysfunctional work environment, a disregard for regulatory duties, and decisions that undermine the state’s oversight of its burgeoning gambling industry. As Maine prepares to launch online sports betting in November 2023, the spotlight on regulatory integrity has never been more crucial.

Inspectors Allege Toxic Work Environment and Regulatory Failures

The open letter signed by all nine casino inspectors paints a damning picture of Milton Champion’s leadership, describing a toxic work environment marked by disrespect for the Maine Gambling Control Board’s oversight role. According to the inspectors, Champion has shown a clear willingness to deregulate Maine’s casinos without proper public consultation or guidance to casino operators, jeopardizing the integrity of the state’s gambling framework.

The letter stated, “Despite the significant expansion of gambling within our great state, our current Executive Director Milton Champion has actively demonstrated an eagerness to deregulate casinos in Maine without input from the voting public and with little-to-no guidance to our casino partners on how to conduct business while remaining compliant with gambling rules and statutes.”

Accusations of Retaliation and Unilateral Decision-Making

The inspectors claim Champion has engaged in retaliatory behavior against individual inspectors and the group as a whole, refusing to compensate them for services rendered and making abrupt scheduling changes that have left key venues like Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino Bangor without regulatory oversight on Sundays and Mondays. This, they argue, compromises the safety and compliance of these establishments.

One of the inspectors, Kyle Ellingwood, expressed his frustration, saying, “It is in my belief that Milton Champion has little to no idea what the people under him do, and how the casinos we oversee operate. He has shown this multiple times by making changes to our schedule, rules, and how we oversee the casinos. This has led the casinos scrambling to adjust to try and meet the new requirements after they have been changed.”

State Senator Joins Call for Accountability

State Senator Joe Baldacci, a member of the legislature’s State and Local Government Committee, has voiced his support for the inspectors’ call for accountability. “I support the difficult decision of a ‘no-confidence vote’ made by our Public Safety Casino Inspectors following the impossible situations they have been put in over the past few months by their Director, Milton Champion,” Baldacci stated. He further urged for a return to full-coverage staffing within Maine’s casinos to ensure that public safety inspectors can adequately perform their duties.

MGCU Issues a Letter of Confidence in Champion

In response to the inspectors’ accusations, the MGCU issued a “letter of confidence” signed by nine other employees, including deputy director Matthew Motti. This letter praised Champion’s leadership, citing his open-door policy, supportive demeanor, and commitment to professional development within the unit. “Under his guidance, we have been encouraged to take on new challenges, develop our skills, and grow professionally, which has significantly enhanced each of our individual contributions to the Unit,” the letter read.

The letter emphasized that those who work closely with Champion have not experienced the hostile work environment described by the inspectors, and it defended his integrity and dedication to the MGCU’s mission.

A Divided House Amid Growing Regulatory Demands

The call for Milton Champion’s resignation underscores the deep rift within Maine’s gambling regulatory body at a pivotal moment for the state’s gaming industry. As Maine prepares to expand its gambling offerings with online sports betting, the effectiveness of its regulatory oversight is under intense scrutiny. The conflicting perspectives within the MGCU highlight a need for clear leadership and a unified approach to maintaining the integrity of Maine’s gambling landscape. Whether Champion remains at the helm or steps down, the MGCU must address these internal divisions to uphold its commitment to public safety and fair gaming practices.