Maine is set to become the eighth state to legalize real money online casinos after Gov. Janet Mills announced that she would allow LD 1164 to pass into law.
The bill gives the state's gaming tribes exclusive rights to offer online casinos. Specifically, they are the four Wabanaki tribes (Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik, Mi'kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians).
These tribes are partnered with DraftKings and Caesars for online sports betting, so it could be reasonable to expect those same brands to offer online casinos (DraftKings Casino and Caesars Palace Online Casino) alongside their sportsbooks.
As for casino games to expect, Maine residents will be able to play online slots, table games, poker and more. Gamblers would also benefit from online casino bonuses, which offer thousands in bonuses, spins and more.
The passing of LD 1164 didn't come without opposition, as the Maine Gambling Control Board, which regulates gambling in the state, urged Mills to veto the bill just last month.
In opposition, the regulator said it believed the state's two casinos (Hollywood Casino Bangor and Oxford Casino) should be included as potential operators as well. The MGCB also argued that such a passage of online casino apps and sites could result in the potential loss of up to 200 jobs at the casinos, as well as a rise in gambling addiction.
For the full release from Gov. Janet Mills, click here.
Timeline For Maine Online Casino Launch
It's tough to tell how long it'll take to get online casinos up and running in Maine.
However, with a variety of incumbent gambling operations already live in the state, my best guess is that it'll be 2027 at the latest.
It took 18 months to get sports betting live in 2023 after Mills signed legislation into law in 2022, though it could be a different timeline for online casinos. With a small number of potential operators, as well as the potential two which are already in the state, it could be as quick as this year that Maine online casinos go live.
