Maine Sportsbooks | Guide to Maine Sports Betting 2025
Sports betting is live in Maine. Governor Janet Mills signed LD 585 on May 2, 2022, and online betting sites started taking bets on November 3, 2023. Bettors can now place wagers online through apps like DraftKings and Caesars, while physical sportsbooks are starting to open. Here's everything you need to know about betting in Maine.
- Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Void in Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana or Nevada
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Must be 18+ years of age or older (19+ in NE, AL) (21+ in AZ, FL, IA, LA (select parishes). Massachusetts bettors must be 21+ and present to place wagers in the state. Gambling problem in Massachusetts? Play it smart from the start! GamesenseMA.com or Call 1-800-327-5050 to speak with a trained specialist free and confidentially 24/7. Full Terms apply Paid contests not available while physically located in HI, ID, LA (select parishes), MT, NV, OR, or WA. Void where prohibited. Eligibility restrictions apply. Available to first-time DraftKings Daily Fantasy (“DFS”) customers only. - 3
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org (CT). 18+ (19+ AL/NE, 21+ AZ/MA/VA). Valid only where Pick6 operates, see dkng.co/pick6states. Void in NY, ONT, and where prohibited. Eligibility restrictions apply. 1 per new Pick6 customer. $5+ first paid Pick Set to receive max. $50 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Picks that expire in 14 days (336 hours). Ends 10/13/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Terms: pick6.draftkings.com/promos. Sponsored by DraftKings. - 4
Must be 18+ to participate. 21+ in Massachusetts. T&Cs Apply. - 5
Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
Is sports betting legal in Maine? (September 2025)
News for Sports Betting in Maine
Sports betting in Maine became legal on May 2, 2022, when Governor Janet Mills signed LD 585 into law. The path to legalization was not smooth, with several failed attempts between 2019 and 2021—including SB 1352, which passed the state legislature but was ultimately not signed by the governor.
After a lengthy regulatory process, sports betting officially launched in Maine on November 3, 2023. The Maine Gambling Control Unit oversees the market, including online sportsbooks, Maine online casinos, and retail betting locations.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Maine?
Maine Online Sports Betting Options
Online sports betting is now live in Maine, when sportsbooks started accepted bets on November 3, 2023. You can bet on your phone or computer, with popular operators like DraftKings and Caesars are up and running in Maine.
Maine law allows for up to four online sportsbook licenses, each run by Maine's tribal casinos. These tribes teamed up with big-name US sportsbooks to offer solid betting apps.
In addition, up to 10 retail sportsbook licenses allow for in-person betting at casinos, racetracks, and off-track facilities—but only a handful of physical locations are open yet.
Can You Sports Bet in Maine?
Yes, sports betting is now fully legal and operational in Maine, both online and in select retail locations. Residents and visitors can legally place wagers on professional and international sports via mobile apps throughout the state.
Note: Betting on in-state college teams (such as the University of Maine) remains prohibited, except when they are participating in larger tournaments.
Is Daily Fantasy Sports Betting legal in Maine?
Yes, Daily Fantasy Sports is legal in Maine. LD 1320 was signed on August 2, 2017, by Governor Paul LePage. DraftKings and FanDuel are the two main DFS sites operating in the Pine Tree State, with smaller DFS sites also available.
DFS companies pay a 10% tax on gross sports betting revenue and a license fee of $2,500 each year.
When Did Online Sports Betting in Maine Launch?
Online sports betting went live on November 3, 2023, after some delays getting everything approved. It took months of planning and rule-setting before Maine was ready to go.
Since the market opened, sportsbooks have been rolling out bonuses to get Maine bettors signed up.
Maine sports betting updates
After Maine legalized sports betting in 2022, the state's mobile sports betting market went live in late 2023. DraftKings and Caesars were the first operators to launch, working with Maine's tribal casinos. While online betting is going strong, physical sportsbooks have been slow to open, with only one in-person location opening in 2024 and still waiting for approval.
State officials are keeping an eye on how things are going, and more locations and USA betting apps could open down the road.
On which sports can you bet in Maine?
There are very few restrictions on sports to bet on in Maine. A wager can be placed on the following sports among others:
Betting is also available on college sports (with some restrictions as detailed next).
Which sports are illegal to bet on?
you can legally bet on college sports in Maine, but with significant restrictions. State law prohibits wagering on any college teams based in Maine, and this ban includes prop bets on in-state college athletes. You also cannot bet on a Maine team even if it is playing out of state. Betting on high school sports is illegal, as well.
Finally, betting on non-sporting events, such as elections or the Academy Awards, is prohibited in Maine.
Online Sportsbooks Currently live in Maine
Here are brief overviews of DraftKings Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook, the two online betting states currently live in the state of Maine.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings already has a presence in Maine thanks to its DFS product. As one of the leading sportsbooks in the country, we expect DraftKings to be strongly considered for a license. DraftKings Sportsbook is known for its moble sports betting , boasting a powerful mobile sports betting app offering live streaming and in-play online betting options.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook is another major player in Maine’s legal sports betting scene. With a reputation built on years of experience in the casino industry, Caesars offers a top-tier sportsbook platform.
Known for its user-friendly interface, Caesars Sportsbook features competitive odds, live betting, and a wide range of sports markets. The app also rewards players with the Caesars Rewards program, offering bonuses and perks for loyal bettors.
Bonuses and Promotions
As the market expands, you can expect the online betting sites to offer great bonuses and sportsbook promos. Currently, platforms like DraftKings and Caesars are already offering exciting deals for Maine sports bettors.
Sign-Up Bonuses
All good Maine online sportsbooks will offer generous signup bonuses to new players. These will include deposit match bonuses where your deposit will be matched up to a certain percentage by the sportsbook. bonus bets will also be available, where you will receive a bonus bet equal to your first bet if it loses.
Pre-Launch Offers
Players that pre-register with a Maine online sportsbook can be eligible for special gambling bonus offers, such as bonus bets. Keep an eye on when you can pre-register with online sportsbooks in Maine to potentially be eligible for any rewards.
Events Promotions
Certain special events will have special promotions, including odds boosts, giving bettors in Maine great value. Events such as the Super Bowl, MLB opening day, or the NBA All-Star Game may offer special promotions with boosted odds.
Top 5 Maine Teams to Bet On
There are no major sports franchises in Maine, but like all states in the New England region, the fans are firmly behind the teams based in and around the Boston area. Here are the five most popular professional sports and teams in Maine to bet on.
- New England Patriots: The Patriots are the most successful NFL team in the Super Bowl era. The combination of Head Coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady will propel the franchise to six Lombardi Trophies between 2002 and 2019, cementing the organization as one of the greatest sporting franchises in history. The Patriots' home games take place at the 65,000-capacity Gillette Stadium.
- Boston Celtics: The Boston Celtics have won 17 NBA titles, jointly holding the record with their fierce rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics-Lakers rivalry from the 1960s to the 1980s is considered one of, if not the most significant sporting rivalry in US history. The Celtics compete in the Eastern Conference Atlantic Division, with home games hosted at the atmospheric TD Garden.
- Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox were one of the founder members of the American League, where they have played since 1901. Ball games have been played at the iconic Fenway Park since 1912, where fans gather in awe at the Green Monster, the 310-foot wall at left field. The Red Sox have won 9 World Series titles, despite an 86-year drought from 1918, allegedly due to the ‘Curse of the Bambino’ after Babe Ruth was traded to the New York Yankees.
- Boston Bruins: The Bruins play in the Eastern Conference Atlantic Division of the NHL and are the oldest US-based NHL team. Founded in 1924, the Bruins shared TD Garden with the Boston Celtics. The Bruins have a successful history, winning six Stanley Cups, five Conference Championships, and 27 Division Championships.
- Boston College Eagles: The Eagles represent Boston College in the Atlantic Coast Conference. BC is best known for its football and hockey teams. The men’s hockey team won the National Championship five times, while the football team won National Champions in 1940 and the Conference Title in 2004. Home games are played at the 44,500-capacity Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
Retail Maine Sportsbook sites and locations
Sports betting legislation in Maine allows for up to 10 retail sports betting licenses. Retail betting licenses are available for casinos, racetracks, and off-track betting sites across the state. There are two casinos in Maine, the Hollywood Casino in Bangor and the Oxford Casino Hotel in Oxford. Four betting licenses are available for horse racing tracks that offer pari-mutuel advanced deposit wagering, with the final four retail sports betting licenses available for off track betting facilities.
Overview of Sports Betting Law and Bills in Maine
Maine Gambling Control Unit Executive Director expresses doubt that the state will launch legalized sports betting by its target date January 2024.
Operators and the American Gaming Association criticize the proposed advertising restrictions during a public hearing on betting.
MGCU unveils proposed rules for betting in the Pine Tree State.
Maine sports betting legislation goes into effect. While sports betting becomes legal, it is unavailable.
Milt Champion, Executive Director of the State Gambling Control Unit, states that it could take until January 2025 to launch sports betting thanks to the consultation process.
Maine lawmakers pass sports betting bill LD 585, which legalizes sports betting in the state. While regulations need to be drawn up, the regulator, the MGCU, expects players to be able to start betting in January 2024.
Maine Sportsbooks vs. Other Legal Sports Betting States
Maine sports betting operates similarly to the majority of states in the US. Our team of experts has answered the key questions below so that you have the best possible knowledge of the Maine sports betting market.
What are the tax implications for bettors and operators in states where online sports betting is legal?
Sports betting winnings are subject to tax in Maine, as with every state in the US. All gambling profits must be declared to the IRS, and those greater than $600 require a W-2G form to be completed. Sports wagering losses can be deducted from sports betting winnings, so keep good records of all sports bets. Sportsbooks are legally entitled to withhold up to 25% of winnings for tax purposes. Maine sports betting winnings are also subject to Maine state income tax. State income tax ranges from 5.80% to 7.15%, depending on your level of taxable income.
Are there any limitations on the types of bets that can be placed in legal sports betting states?
Maine restricts bets on in-state college teams and player props for college games. This aligns with two other states in the New England region, such as Massachusetts and New Hampshire. While some states allow prop bets on college teams on events like March Madness, the Pine Tree State does not offer these wager types.
Are there any age or residency requirements for online sports betting in states where it is legal?
You must be 21 or older to place a sports bet online anywhere in ME. If you are betting online, you must be physically located within Maine's state lines. You do not need to be a resident to place a bet with a Maine sportsbook, either online or in a retail sportsbook location. Similarly, residents in the Pine Tree State can travel to neighboring New Hampshire and place online wagers with New Hampshire online sports betting sites.
Do legal sports betting states have restrictions on the types of sports or events that can be bet on?
The only restrictions on sports betting related to betting on college sports, specifically betting on in-state college teams. Some states allow for this and regulate sports betting, while others prohibit betting on in-state teams.
What measures are in place to ensure the safety and security of online sports betting platforms in states where it is legal?
All sportsbooks require proof that a player is 21 or older, which is completed during the registration process. Operators have sophisticated geolocation technology to ensure players are physically located in Maine. All sportsbook license applications will go through a thorough vetting process by the Maine Gambling Control Unit to ensure appropriate security measures are in place. For your data security, any operator will accept trusted payment methods, like PayPal, transfers from your bank account, or secure bank cards.
Responsible Gambling in Maine
In Maine, operators must have robust responsible gambling tools for players. A state-wide self-exclusion policy will allow sports bettors to exclude themselves from all betting activities. All online sportsbooks also need to provide responsible gambling tools to players. These include deposit limits, bet limits, and cool-off periods. There are also responsible gambling resources available to problem gamblers in the state. Both the Maine Council on Problem Gambling and the Maine Division of Disease Prevention offer resources to problem gamblers and their families.
