Maine iGaming Legislation Faces Uphill Struggles With Vote Expected
Maine’s gambling industry is facing significant potential changes.
The Pine Tree State is considering the prohibition of online sweepstakes casinos, joining the likes of New York, New Jersey and Nevada.
The debate over sweepstakes casinos will start on January 14. Before the debate even begins, the state will have to debate the regulation of online casino gaming, starting January 7.
If passed, bill LD 1164 would allow each of Maine’s Wabanaki Nations to partner with recognized online platforms and provide online casino gambling.
However, there is opposition to the bill, with challenges from several fronts.
Maine Gambling Regulation
Currently, Maine has two regulated casinos – Oxford Casino in Oxford and Hollywood Casino in Bangor. The two casinos generate around $13million a month in gaming revenue.
The 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act means that, unlike in a lot of other states, Maine’s tribal nations are not permitted to operate casinos on their lands.
Since 2022, the Wabanaki Nations have been granted the rights to offer sports betting, and bill LD 1164 would effectively expand these rights to incorporate online casinos.
Unsurprisingly, the Wabanaki Nations are behind the calls to pass this most recent bill.
While debating the bill in June 2025, the Tribal Representative for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Brian Reynolds, said: “The proposal to authorize igaming for Maine’s tribes is more than a revenue conversation.
“It’s about laying a foundation for self-reliance through modern tools.
"This is a chance for us to meet economic needs without waiting on federal grants or new appropriations. It allows us to stand on our own.”
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Residents And Regulators Oppose The Bill
However, while the tribes might be up for regulated iGaming, one survey suggests Mainers are not.
A poll commissioned by the National Association Against iGaming found 64% of residents were opposed to introducing a regulatory framework for online casinos.
Nearly half, or 49%, of poll respondents said they were strongly opposed to the idea.
The bill will be debated when the legislative session opens on January 7, and Governor Janet Mills will have three days to decide whether to sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without her signature.
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Proponents point to the potential $3.6m a year in taxes the bill would raise.
The Maine Gambling Control Board, the group that oversees gambling regulations in the state and would be responsible for the issuance of licenses, however, urged the Senator to veto the bill.
As well as voicing concerns over problem gambling, the regulatory body has also pointed to the exclusion of the state’s two existing commercial casinos.
In its current format, the bill would not grant Hollywood Casino or Oxford Casino licenses.
Chair of the board, Steven J. Silver, has argued that it could potentially lead to the loss of as many as 1,000 jobs if it put the two retail casinos out of business.
