AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage says that a large resort casino in southern Maine would negatively impact the state.

In a letter to members of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, Hank Fenton, deputy counsel for LePage, said the governor opposes several bills that would open the door to more gambling.

Fenton says LePage is skeptical of the findings of a report commissioned by the Legislature that found that Maine has room for additional casinos.

Supporters say a southern Maine facility would benefit the region’s economy, but Fenton said any benefit would come at the expense of communities and projects that benefit from the revenue generated by Oxford and Hollywood Casinos.

The letter didn’t mention whether LePage would support a small northern Maine casino run by the American Indian tribes.