Operators of the Bangor racino say adding games like poker and roulette would funnel more cash to depleted state coffers and create up to 180 new jobs.

Hollywood Slots General manager John Osborne is asking lawmakers to authorize table games for the Bangor racino. Osborne says even without another gambling facility in Maine or an expansion of state lottery games, Hollywood Slots is having trouble competing with casinos in southern New England because it doesn't offer table games like poker and roulette.

"One of the difficulties we have in our environment is we really don't have a lot of people with a high household income," Osborne told members of the Legislature's Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee. "So when you look at some of these other judrisdictions, you're sitting with several million people within 60 to 90 minutes of that location with household incomes that are 50 to 60 percent higher than what we have in Bangor."

Osborne says table games would generate about $8 million and result in 170 to 180 new jobs. Allowing table games at Hollywood slots is among a menu of gambling options the panel is considering, including expanding the state lottery to include the mega-millions game and adding a keno game. In all, the committee is looking at options that could bring in up to $8 million to help balance the state budget.