Bill Passing Through Maine Legislature Paves Way for Online Gaming; Governor's Potential Veto Looms
Updated Article:
June 17, 2025, 08:43h.* Last updated on: June 17, 2025, 09:06h.
Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO O'Connor's Nightly Beat Gaming Politics
Maine's Legislature passed a bill to legalize online casinos, potentially shaking up the state's gaming industry.
After a heated debate over iGaming tax rates, both chambers voted in favor of the legislation led by Rep. Ambureen Rana (D-Bangor). Initially tabled before the Legislature's adjournment in March, the iGaming bill resurfaced during a special session, driven by its potential to generate new tax revenue for the state.
The iGaming Showdown
The bill, known as LD 1164/House Paper 769, bestows exclusive rights to the state's four Wabanaki Nations—Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot—to partner with third-party operators for online casino games. These may include popular favorites like blackjack and poker. The legislation subjects the iGaming operations to a 16% tax, which could generate an estimated $3.6 million in fiscal year 2026-2027.
Although the tribes aren't allowed to run land-based casinos, they already operate bingo halls and secured exclusive online sports betting rights in 2022. Industry heavyweights like FanDuel and DraftKings are potential candidates for partnerships. Tribal interests view iGaming as a means to foster self-reliance, while complementing their online sports betting operations.
Commercial Casinos Sound the Alarm
Maine's commercial casino operators, Penn Entertainment, and Churchill Downs (operators of Hollywood Casino Bangor and Oxford Casino Hotel, respectively) oppose the bill, fearing a loss of customers to online casinos. These casinos currently provide over 3,200 jobs and generated $61 million in state gaming taxes last year.
With the bill now pending governor Janet Mills' decision, critics are hopeful that she will veto it due to concerns about expanded gambling and its effects on existing operators. However, the governor has remained tight-lipped on her stance thus far.
Mills' press secretary confirmed the governor's ongoing monitoring of the bill, offering little further insight on her potential decision.
[1] PoliticsME
[2] Washington Times
[3] Fox32
[4] Yahoo Finance
[5] Bloomberg
- The bill, LD 1164/House Paper 769, could dramatically alter the gaming landscape in Maine if governor Janet Mills signs it into law.
- The legislation grants exclusive rights to the Wabanaki Nations—Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot—to partner with third-party operators for online casino games.
- The move is significant, as it follows the tribes securing exclusive online sports betting rights in 2022.
- FanDuel and DraftKings, among others, are potential partners for the tribes, as they seek to expand their operations into iGaming.
- Penn Entertainment and Churchill Downs, operators of Hollywood Casino Bangor and Oxford Casino Hotel respectively, are opposed to the bill, fearing a loss of customers to online casinos.
- The commercial casinos currently provide over 3,200 jobs and generated $61 million in state gaming taxes last year.
- Critics are hoping Mills will veto the bill due to concerns about expanded gambling and its impact on existing operators, but her stance remains ambiguous.
- The future of iGaming in Maine hinges on governor Mills' decision, as it faces potential opposition from both the commercial casino operators and the governor herself.
