Sports betting in Maine remains on hold as the governor refrains from signing the bill for its passage
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In a dramatic twist, Maine Governor Janet Mills has got folks in a frenzy. Tuesday marked the deadline for her to sign off on L.D. 553 - a bill that would legalize sports wagering across the state. But, like a game of poker, she's keeping her cards close to her chest.
Mills, known for her cautious stance on expanding legal gambling, was expected to put her signature on this measure, which passed with bipartisan support back in June. Yet, when the deadline came, she didn't play her hand. By not signing the bill, Mills essentially passed the buck.
"Governor Mills didn't explicitly veto the bill," Steve Silver, a legal eagle in Portland, Maine, and adjunct professor of gaming law at the University of Maine School of Law, told Sports Handle. "But unless the legislature calls a special session longer than three days, without Mills vetoing it, sports betting in Maine is on a temporary hold."
So, what's next for Maine sports betting?
Here's the lowdown: Because the legislature wrapped things up on June 19, Mills had a 10-day window (Weekends excluded) to take action on the bill. Since she didn't, the bill goes back into play once the legislature convenes for a session lasting more than three days. If there's no such session, the bill moves to the next regular session on January 8, 2020. At that point, Mills would have three days to veto it, or it becomes law by default.
The wiseguy theory is that Mills is simply letting the bill slide through without actively supporting it. Time will tell if that gamble pays off.
Sen. Louis Luchini, the bill's sponsor, said on Wednesday that he's ready to collaborate with the Mills administration on the bill.
The current version of the bill promotes a free market approach. It allows existing gambling entities to secure licenses for on-premises retail sportsbooks. This includes commercial casinos, racetracks, OTB locations, and Maine's four Native American tribes. The bill also opens the door for independent, online-only sportsbooks to join the game. DraftKings, among others, could be a significant player in this market.
Jamie Chisholm, DraftKings Director of Global Public Affairs, expressed optimism: "We applaud the diligent work and inclusive approach of Senators Luchini and Schneck, and the entire legislature, in passing legislation that, if enacted, will protect Maine citizens and curb the thriving illegal market by embracing competitive, online sports wagering with robust consumer protections."
A representative from Governor Mills' office didn't respond to Sports Handle's request for comment.
Now, Mainers wait. In June, Democratic leaders hinted they expected Mills to call for a special session later in the summer to push for a bond package for infrastructure and education-related improvements.
This year, a handful of new states - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, and Tennessee - have officially legalized sports wagering. A bill in New Hampshire is awaiting Governor Sununu's signature. Voters in Colorado will decide in November whether they're in or out on sports wagering legalization.
Despite L.D. 553's current limbo, it's worth noting that Maine has successfully implemented sports betting through a different bill, L.D. 585, which became law on May 2, 2022. This legislation permits both online and retail sports betting, giving specific rights to Maine's tribes for mobile wagering. The online sports betting market in Maine launched on November 3, 2023, featuring major operators like Caesars and DraftKings.
- Governor Janet Mills did not sign L.D. 553 by the given deadline, which legislates sports betting across Maine, sending the bill back for consideration in a future session longer than three days.
- Because Mills didn't veto the bill, sports betting in Maine is currently on hold, but it could resurface during a longer session or the next regular session on January 8, 2020.
- The current version of L.D. 553 supports a free market approach, allowing existing gambling entities like casinos, racetracks, and the four Native American tribes to secure licenses for retail sportsbooks.
- Independent, online-only sportsbooks are also eligible to enter the Maine market under the current bill, with DraftKings being a possible significant player.
- In a statement, DraftKings Director of Global Public Affairs, Jamie Chisholm, expressed optimism about the potential legalization of sports betting in Maine.
- While Mills' office did not respond for comment on L.D. 553, other states such as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Tennessee, New Hampshire, and Colorado are pursuing or have already legalized sports betting.
