An anti-casino group is claiming that finding an out-of-state backer for the Oxford County Casino project was the secret game plan all along for those pushing the Oxford County Casino referendum.

Dennis Bailey, head of CasinosNO! said it was deceptive to those signing the petition.

“He (former president Seth Carey) sold this plan to voters and the signers of the petition as a locally owned and operated, Maine-based resort casino,” Bailey wrote in an e-mail. “Now, less than two months before the election, the curtain is pulled back to reveal that the real owner is a Las Vegas mogul who’s only interest is taking millions of dollars from Maine people to fill his vault in Las Vegas.”

The referendum requires profits from the casino to go to Maine causes – but also requires that the president of the casino sit on the board of each group or agency receiving money.

“Do we really want a Las Vegas mogul who probably has never even been to Maine until today influencing these boards and making critical state decisions,” Bailey said.