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Sports betting in Maine became legal on May 2, 2022, when Governor Janet Mills signed LD 585. The path to signing this bill was not smooth, with several attempts thwarted between 2019 and 2021. This includes SB 1352, which passed both the House and the Senate in 2021 but was not signed by Gov. Mills as she did not deem it ready.
The next step for Maine sports wagering is for the market to launch. This is at the discretion of the Maine Gambling Control Unit, which hopes to launch in early 2024.
Online sports wagering is not yet available in Maine despite the state's sports betting legalization bill already signed into law and betting technically allowed in the state. When having the sports betting launch in Maine, mobile betting will be available, as will placing sports bets on your desktop.
The state's gambling authority will allocate four online sportsbook licenses, one for each federally recognized tribe in the state. Maine law requires that each tribe partner with an established online operator; we expect plenty of competition for these licenses to provide online and some of the best betting apps.
Up to 10 retail sportsbook licenses will also be available if you prefer to place your bets in person.
We expect that legal sports wagering and US sports betting sites to be available in early 2024. Maine's gambling authority is working through the gambling rules process, with the consultation period causing severe delays to the intended launch of online and mobile sportsbooks.
This is because the sports betting bill stipulates that all comments submitted during the consultation process have to be individually addressed and accepted or rejected, which is a timely process.
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.
The Head of the Maine Gambling Control Unit, Milton Champion, has indicated that the state could launch Maine sports betting in early 2024. Initial indications pointed to a launch in mid-2023. This was delayed following a public consultation which has led to extended delays.
After Maine legalized sports betting in August 2022, players are now waiting for updates from the Maine Gambling Control Unit as to when legal sports wagering will go live in the Pine Tree State.
The regulator is currently working through the feedback on the gambling rules following a public consultation which is expected to take several months to gain approval. It is hopeful is sports wagering will go live in early 2024; however, it would not be surprising if the launch will be delayed even further.
Yes, Maine online betting apps will be available when legal betting launches. There are four online sports betting licenses available, and as such, we expect sports bettors in Maine to have access to four great apps to use for online wagering. The licenses have yet to be issued, but we expect Maine to offer sports betting apps from Barstool, DraftKings, and FanDuel.
There are no restrictions on sports to bet on in Maine. When the Maine legal betting market launches, a wager can be placed on the NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, soccer, tennis, golf, NASCAR, MMA, lacrosse, and boxing, to niche sports such as snooker and table tennis. Betting is also available on college sports (with some restrictions).
Maine sports betting law doesn't specify any sports that are illegal to bet on, but some sports have restricted bets. Betting on NCAA events is legal; however, bets cannot be placed on in-state college teams. As such, fans of the Maine Black Bears cannot wager on their team from within state lines. Betting on high school sports is illegal, as with every other state in the US. Finally, betting on non-sporting events, such as elections or the Academy Awards, is prohibited in Maine.
There are four online sportsbook licenses available in Maine, one for each of the four federally recognized tribes in the state. We expect many of online operators with the biggest and best online sportsbook apps to apply for a Maine sports betting license. The leading contenders to launch sports betting apps Maine are shown below.
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.
Fanduel sportsbook has been operating in Maine for over half a decade with its DFS competitions. FanDuel is the biggest sportsbook in the US. This, coupled with familiarity with the Maine sports betting market, means the company is heavily favored to receive one of the four Maine online sports betting licenses.
BetMGM is well known to players all across the US. The MGM Grand in Las Vegas is world famous, and the BetMGM sports betting app is considered one of the best apps available, thanks to the ease of use and wide range of sports wagering options. BetMGM is almost certain to apply for a Maine sports betting license and will be in a strong position given its excellent track record in other states.
The owners of Barstool Sportsbook, Penn National Gaming, already have a presence in Maine as owners of the Hollywood Casino Hotel. We expect Barstool to apply for an online sports betting license in Maine. Still, considering that the federally recognized tribes are in competition with Hollywood Casino Hotel, this could be challenging. Considering that legislation allows ten retail sportsbooks, it will likely open a facility at its owned-and-operated property.
Sports betting in Maine has yet to go live, but when the market launches, you can expect the four online sportsbooks to offer great bonuses and promotions. We anticipate that the following offers will be available to Maine sports bettors.
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. Risk-free bets will also be available, where you will receive a free bet equal to your first bet if it loses.
Players that pre-register with a Maine online sportsbook can be eligible for special gambling bonus offers, such as free bets. Keep an eye on when you can pre-register with online sportsbooks in Maine to potentially be eligible for any rewards.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When Maine sports betting launches, we expect the market to operate similarly to the majority of states in the US. Our team of experts have answered the key questions below so that you have the best possible knowledge of the Maine sports betting market when it launches.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When Maine's online and mobile sports betting market launches in the Pine Tree State, operators must have robust responsible gaming tools for players. A state-wide self-exclusion policy will allow sports bettors to exclude themselves from all betting activities. All online sportsbooks will have 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.
You can't bet on sports yet, but sports betting is legal in ME. The Maine Gambling Control Unit is finalizing sports betting rules, and the market is expected to launch in 2024 and you will be able to bet on different sports like the MLB, NBA, NHL etc.
DraftKings Sportsbook is yet to be available to play in Maine as sports betting has yet to launch. DraftKings are expected to apply for one of the four online sportsbook licenses and offer online betting. DraftKings DFS is available in Maine.
Online sports betting is legal, but has yet to be launched. Online casinos and online poker are illegal, but players can enjoy Maine's DFS tournaments.
BetMGM is not yet legal in Maine as sports betting licenses have not been issued. We expect BetMGM to apply for a sports betting license and offer sports betting when the Maine Gambling Control Unit accepts applications.
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