Maine Online Casino Bill Heads To Governor For Approval

A committee of lawmakers in Maine approved legislation to legalize online casinos, sending the bill to Governor Janet Mills for approval.

Bill LD1164 proposes to legalize online casinos through Maine’s four tribes: the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Penobscot Nation, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, and Milkmaq Nation. The tribes are collectively known as the Wabanaki Nations, and the bill is titled, “An Act to Create Economic Opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations Through Internet Gaming”.

Gov. Mills, however, has been reluctant to approve any expansion of gambling in the state. Maine sports betting was approved only after months of negotiation and following Mills vetoing initial legislation.

Lawmakers split in votes on the bill

This gained some traction, and the bill made it onto the Special Appropriations Table in the House, where it was voted in favor by a margin of 87-60. This marks a shift from last year when lawmakers voted against a proposal to legalize online casinos in Maine in a 70-75 vote.

Gov. Mills has already vetoed 5 bills this year, however, and with a lot of opponents in the House and Senate, would feel under no pressure to sign this into law. It may need another legislative session before enough lawmakers and Mills are convinced that increasing gambling options is in the state’s best interest.

Tribes support the bill, retail casinos oppose

Oxford Casino representative Dan Walker stated, “This bill would create a gaming monopoly for the Wabanaki Nations with little economic benefit to Maine.”

The Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce estimates that legalizing online casinos could result in up to $67 million in lost revenue for the two operators and eliminate approximately 400 jobs.

Maine Gaming Control Board Chair Steve Silver commented, “Oxford and Hollywood Casinos employ nearly 1,000 Mainers. Legalizing iGaming without permitting them to participate will lead to job cuts — I am willing to bet on it.”

Bill could bring money back to Maine from overseas

Chief William Nicholas Sr. of the Passamaquoddy tribe backs the bill to benefit Mainers and reduce the impact of illegal gambling websites. He commented: “The lost business opportunity for a legal and state-regulated entity is in the tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars per year.”

The bill estimates the 18% tax would generate $1.8 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year, bumping up to $3.6 million in 2026-27. That figure may not be enough to convince Gov. Mills to sign off on the legislation. She has just over a week to decide on the 117 bills that have made it to her desk for this legislative session.

Adam Roarty

Adam is an experienced writer with years of experience in the gambling industry. He has worked as a content writer and editor for five years on sites such as Oddschecker, CoinTelegraph and Gambling Industry News, bringing excellent knowledge of the world of sports betting and online gambling. Adam focuses on emerging stories in the ever changing landscape of betting in the US. Read the latest on prediction markets, changing legislation, and sweepstakes.