A letter from the nine casino inspectors in the Main Gambling Control Unit levied serious accusations against the Executive Director of the unit, Milton Champion.
Via a letter from their labor union, all nine casino inspectors in the state published the open letter, stating that they do not believe Champion should continue in his role.
Letter alleges Champion is circumventing authority
“Milton Champion has made it clear through his actions that he does not respect the oversight role of the Maine Gambling Control Board. Since he started as Executive Director in 2016, the Board has denied many of his proposals for a variety of reasons. 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. Many of these decisions make very little sense, are based on false data, and have irreparably harmed the Maine Gambling Control Unit’s ability to regulate casino gambling (which we are required to do by state statute),” the letter read.
The letter also referenced an incident from the summer where Champion allegedly changed the inspector schedules and eliminated holiday and overtime pay. The recent letter said Champion and his team refused to continue good faith negotiations with their labor union. There are several pending union grievances with the unit.
“Milton Champion’s leadership decisions pose a real threat to the Gambling Control Unit’s ability to serve the taxpaying public and regulate Maine casinos in a responsible and transparent manner. His efforts to consolidate authority within himself despite knowing he is subject to the oversight of the Board should be a concern to all,” the letter continued.
Champion has other critics as well
In 2023, Champion was suspended by the Maine Gamin Control Unit for a week after he posted what the group deemed were inappropriate posts on Twitter.
In May of this year, state Sen. Joe Balducci wrote a letter to Champion, questioning why the state managed to launch online sports betting in November 2023 but retail sports betting has still not launched at the state’s two casinos despite two years passing since Gov. Janet Mills signed the sports betting legislation into law.
In the letter, Balducci called the delay “both surprising and unacceptable.”
MGCB employees sign letter backing Champion
While the team of investigators has lost confidence in Champion’s ability to lead, nine employees of the Maine Gaming Control Board have released a response letter from expressing their confidence in him.
“His open-door policy and approachable demeanor have made us feel both welcomed and valued. 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,” it read.
“We believe Milton’s integrity and dedication to the unit are unquestionable, and we are deeply concerned by the direction these recent claims are heading. His leadership has been a cornerstone of our success, and we stand by him during this time.”
The Maine Gaming Control Board is set for its next regular meeting on Sept. 17.
