All,

Janet Mills’ Gambling Control Board, Maine’s gambling regulator, appears to have an ineligible member.

Mills appointee Joseph Hanslip is running for House District 142 in Sanford and also serves on the board.

The statute (Title 8: AMUSEMENTS AND SPORTS; Chapter 31: GAMBLING CONTROL BOARD; Subchapter 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS) governing the board plainly states “An elected official or candidate for elective office may not serve as a board member.”

As a serving member of the board, Hanslip registered to run for the Maine House on Feb. 6, 2022, which, according to statute, should be the date he became ineligible to serve on the board.
But he kept serving. Since Hanslip became ineligible, there have been multiple board meetings. The next board meeting will be held on June 21.

While Hanslip was ineligible but still serving on the board, Maine also adopted rules governing sports betting.

Maine statute governing the Gambling Control Board

Hanslip’s Maine Ethics Commission profile showing his House campaign is active

Hanslip’s biography on the Maine Gambling Control Board website showing his active service on the board

“This appears to be yet another example of Janet Mills’ inability to run the Maine government,” Maine GOP Executive Director Jason Savage said. “We can’t have this kind of sloppiness calling important policy decisions into question. Which other Mills appointees are ineligible to serve yet have stayed in their positions and are affecting Mainers’ daily lives? It’s time to clean up Augusta. Also, Mr. Hanslip should pick one job or the other. He can’t do both.”