AUGUSTA (AP) — A group is meeting in Augusta to discuss how the state should best expand gambling in Maine.

Maine lawmakers, casino owners and representatives from the state’s tribes and veterans groups are among the 20 members on the Gaming Commission. The group meets for the second time on Friday at the State House.

The commission has been tasked with creating a framework for a competitive bidding process for future casino and slot machine licenses as an effort to control an explosion of resident-initiated casino proposals.

All legislation related to gambling was put on hold last session until the group can develop a competitive bidding process proposal.

The group is expected to make recommendations to the Democratic-controlled Legislature by January.

There are currently two casinos in Maine.

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