All nine of Maine’s casino inspectors have signed a letter of no confidence in Maine Gambling Control Unit (GCU) Executive Director Milton Champion, citing a “dysfunctional and toxic” work environment. However, nearly half of the GCU’s other employees endorsed a separate letter backing Champion’s leadership. The GCU is a bureau within the Maine Department of Public Safety (DPS).
The original no-confidence letter, shared on Sep. 4 by the investigators’ labor union, also noted recent scheduling changes preventing inspections on Sundays and Mondays. The investigators say Champion’s actions have “irreparably harmed” the GCU’s ability to regulate Maine’s casinos, which state law requires.
According to the letter, Champion has “made it clear” that he does not respect Maine Gambling Control’s oversight role.
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 Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union (MSEA-SEIU 1989), represents the investigators. The union represents over 13,000 workers across the state.
Champion Accused of ‘Lack of Respect,’ Retaliation
The five inspectors assigned to Oxford Casino have a combined 51 years of service, while the four tasked with inspecting Hollywood Casino Bangor have 46. Altogether, that equals 97 years of casino oversight.
According to the no-confidence letter, the inspectors say they are “deeply committed” to responsible casino regulation, which they’ve successfully undertaken for nearly 20 years. However, they accuse Champion of being eager to deregulate Maine’s casinos without public or industry input.
As Public Safety Inspectors, we are deeply committed to the mission of responsible regulation of casino gambling within the state of Maine. We have accomplished this mission for nearly 20 years and in that time our roles have grown exponentially along with the growth of our two casinos. Despite the significant expansion of gambling within our great state, our current Executive Director Milton Champion has actively demonstrated an eagerness to deregulate casinos in Maine without input from the voting public and with little-to-no guidance to our casino partners on how to conduct business while remaining compliant with gambling rules and statutes.
Specifically, the inspectors accuse Champion of not respecting their rights and retaliating against individual inspectors and the group. They also note Champion’s refusal to pay them correctly for services rendered and several violations of their contractual rights.
Further, they say recent Champion-led scheduling changes have left the casinos without inspectors on Sundays and Mondays.
Despite MSEA’s attempts to continue bargaining with the Department over Champion’s recently enacted changes impacting our schedules and pay, he and his team have refused to meet to continue negotiations. This inaction has eroded trust between employees and the Department and has emboldened Milton Champion to continue the toxic work environment he has created.
Concerns Echoed by Senator, Union
Notably, Maine Senator Joe Baldacci, whose district includes Hollywood Casino Bangor, said he agrees with the no-confidence letter.
Baldacci, who also sits on Maine’s State and Local Government Committee, called for accountability and a reversal of the scheduling changes.
I support the difficult decision of a ‘no-confidence vote’ made by our Public Safety Casino Inspectors following the impossible situations they have been put in over the past few months by their Director, Milton Champion. I am calling for accountability and for a return to full-coverage staffing within our casinos so that our Public Safety Inspectors can better serve our casinos and patrons.
Mark Brunton, president of MSEA-SEIU Local 1989, said Champion’s refusal to listen to GCU’s inspectors is a problem.
Our casino inspectors play a critical role in maintaining safe and legal gambling in the State of Maine. Mr. Champion is not listening or hearing their concerns about the schedule changes that have left Maine’s casinos without any oversight on Sundays and Mondays.
Brunton noted that casino gambling was highly contentious in 2003 when voters passed the initiative.
One of the concerns was to make sure it was well-regulated to protect the citizens of Maine. That’s the important role that our inspectors play. They need to be on the job whenever the casinos are open.
Half of GCU Staff Register Champion Support
However, Champion is not without support.
According to the Portland Press Herald, nearly half of GCU’s 19 employees shared another letter expressing support for their executive director with the media on Friday.
That letter, signed by CGU’s deputy director Matthew Motti and eight others, rebuffed the investigators’ call for Champion’s removal.
As a group, we feel a need to express our unwavering support and appreciation for our executive director. 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.
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.
Last week, DPS spokesperson Shannon Moss emailed the Herald to say Champion has no comment on the letters. However, Moss added he appreciates his staff’s support.
Director Champion was just made aware of this letter of confidence this morning and while he appreciates the support we have no further comment.
Nathan Daigle, one of the casino inspectors, reiterated the group’s criticisms in a written statement Friday.
100% of casino inspectors in our state have signed on to our letter of no confidence. As the workgroup that is engaged in regulation and oversight of our casinos, we have experienced retaliation and a toxic work environment created by Director Champion.
Combined with recent concerning changes he has made regarding regulation and services provided to our casinos and taxpayers, we have lost confidence in his ability to lead our unit.
Notably, this isn’t Champion’s first public dust-up. In 2023, Maine officials placed Champion on a week of unpaid leave over unrelated, controversial tweets.
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