Maine Gov. Janet Mills Encouraged to Veto Online Casino Bill

Maine could soon legalize online casino gambling, much to the dismay of state residents.

The state legislature approved LD 1164, which would authorize the four Wabanaki Nations tribes to offer online casino gambling to consumers with the help of third-party operators. This approach mirrors the state’s sports betting set-up.

Despite the internal progress, a variety of concerns have been raised by the state regulator and local residents.

The future of online casinos

A new statewide survey by Lake Research Partners found that, according to a survey of 500 likely 2026 general election voters in Maine, who were polled Dec. 13-16, the majority opposed legal iGaming. Support was described as “minimal, struggling to break out of teens.”

The poll also found that “Many Mainers” indicated they would consider the issue central to their voting decision during the next election.

The Maine Gambling Control Board (MGCB) also officially requested Gov. Janet Mills (D) to veto the bill. Their primary concern centered on the exclusion of Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino, which would not be allowed to operate online casino platforms under the proposed framework.

The Board said that without the casinos’ inclusion, Caesars and DraftKings would maintain an online casino monopoly that could negatively affect land-based casino business throughout the state.

Steven J. Silver, MCGB chair, claimed that approximately 1,000 employees at retail casinos could lose their jobs if their facilities weren’t included in the online casino market.

The Board also cited a recent increase in problem gambling, which they believed would be exacerbated by online casino legalization.

Multiple factors at play

There wasn’t much division between Maine respondents based on their party affiliations. 70 percent of independents, 69 percent of Democrats, and 58 percent of Republicans said they opposed online casinos, while 18, 13, and 19 percent said they supported them, respectively.

Legalizing LD 1164 would generate up to $3.6 million annually by fiscal year 2026-27, according to estimates. 

Maine collected just over $11.5 million in sports betting taxes since it launched its market on Nov. 3, 2023. As a smaller state, the extra revenue from online casino legalization would be impactful.

As the future of iGaming remains in limbo, Maine lawmakers are also reviewing legislation that would ban sweepstakes casinos. The MGCB has already issued warnings to illicit platforms utilizing a dual-currency model that has allowed them to circumvent state licensing, which many state regulators claim is illegal.

There isn’t much time remaining for Mills to reach her decision. She has until Jan. 7 to sign, veto, or allow the bill to default into law.

The sweepstakes casino ban, meanwhile, will undergo another review on Jan. 14.