Biddeford Downs will need the vote of the people as LD1203 will head to referendum in the fall after the Maine Senate today failed to enact the bill allowing a racino in Biddeford and Calais.

Although the bill was victorious in the House and Senate in the first round of voting, the bill needed to be enacted by both chambers. The House enacted the bill before the legislative break two weeks ago. Today the Senate failed to enact the bill by a 15-19 vote, sending the bill to referendum.

Supporters state that the fight is far from over. Representatives from Ocean Properties were at the State House today supporting the bill and have stated that they are fully committed to the referendum campaign.