Maine casinos beef up security after reopening for business

Article by : Charles Perrin Oct 30, 2023

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Maine is getting back to its feet in the aftermath of a mass shooting by reopening two of its casinos.

The terrifying events of last week saw 18 people killed in two deadly attacks on two local businesses in Lewiston, Maine, of which one was a bowling alley.

Robert Card, who was the chief suspect, opened fire at two separate locations across Maine, and among his victims included a grandfather of six.

13 people were also injured in the attacks. Card was the subject of a nationwide manhunt before his body was found on Friday near a recycling plant in Lisbon Falls, Maine, where it is believed he worked, with a self-inflicted gun wound.

After the harrowing scenes, Maine is trying to get back to normal, and two gaming properties — Hollywood Casino Hotel and Oxford Casino and Hotel — have now reopened for business.

Hollywood Casino Hotel shut its doors last Wednesday before reopening on Friday, and it is thought measures have been taken to beef up security.

Meanwhile, Oxford Casino Hotel tentatively opened up the casino floor over the weekend, however, the hotel arm of the business won’t be in operation again until Tuesday.

For now, casino visitors have been warned to be “vigilant” and “cautious”, and they will have to use the hotel entrance to get access to the casino.

After Card’s body was found, Lewiston Police Department Chief David St. Pierre said: “Our community can now breathe a sigh of relief.

“I just don’t want to forget the families that are grieving. I don’t want to forget the law enforcement officials that have worked tirelessly throughout this whole event.”

The Oxford Casino Hotel is roughly 14 miles from the attacks in Lewiston, while the Hollywood Hotel is approximately 106 miles from the deadly murders.

In the wake of the attacks, the calls for tighter gun measures have been vocalized by state officials, but things will be far from normal for a long time in Maine.