Maine Sports Betting

Sports betting launched in November 2023 with two legal betting sites after Gov. Janet Mills signed LD 585 into law.

This bill became effective on July 31, 2022 and authorized four federally recognized tribes in Maine (the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indian Township and the Penobscot Nation) the exclusive right to apply for mobile sports wagering licenses.

Casinos, racetracks and off-track betting sites are permitted to operate land-based sportsbooks

In May 2018, following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down PASPA, State Rep. Louis Luchini told the press he anticipated “multiple” sports betting bills would be introduced when legislators reconvened in 2019.

Indeed, in January 2019, seven sports betting legalization bills were filed. LD 1348 was introduced to the House in March. The bill would authorize the state’s Gambling Control Board to issue sports betting licenses for both retail and online operations. Additionally, the state could issue licenses to federally recognized Indian tribes to operate online-only sports wagering platforms. The bill would allow betting on pro and college sports, but would ban esports gambling. In April 2019, representatives the two casinos in Maine, as well as off-track betting venues and the harness racing industry, spoke in favor of moving forward with legalized sports betting in the state. While some lawmakers raised concerns about sports betting, there was no opposition to five legalization bills pending in the current session.

In June 2019 on the last day of the legislative session, both chambers of the Maine legislature passed LD 553, giving Governor Janet Mills 10 days to act. But the 1 July deadline came and went without her signature.

In April 2021, Maine lawmakers reconsidered online sports betting legislation that would allow any qualified sportsbook to apply for a license without having to partner with a land-based facility. No formal action had been taken as of May 2021.

A sports wagering bill was signed by Governor Janet Mills in May 2022. It will enhance tribal-state collaboration, revise the tax laws for tribal entities and authorize casinos, off-track betting facilities, federally recognized Indian Tribes and certain commercial tracks to conduct sports wagering.

The process of awarding betting licenses and regulations is expected to conclude in 2024 at the latest.