Top Maine Sports Betting Sites: Best Sportsbooks in Maine for 2024

Written by: Oliver Thompson, Senior Editor Fact-checked by: Emily Davies, Head of Content Last Updated: August 21, 2024, 1:40 PM ET

Maine offers access to 19 top-tier sports betting sites — more than any other state. With so many Maine sportsbook promos available, it can be tough to know where to start. Read on to discover which Maine sportsbooks are the best fit for you.

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Maine sports betting updates

Milton Champion, executive director of the Maine Gambling Control Unit, has stated, “It’s a matter of when, not if, for Maine sports betting.”

Here's a summary of the key events in Maine's sports betting history:

  • August 7, 2024: Maine's sports betting reaches a new milestone with $42.7 million in wagers for July, marking the second-highest total ever, despite a slow summer sports schedule.

  • July 9, 2024: The state's sports betting handle and revenue remain steady in June, reflecting the typical summer slowdown.

  • May 21, 2024: April sees an increase in sports betting revenue in Maine, with $38.3 million in wagers for the month.

  • April 9, 2024: Maine’s online casino bill progresses, though its future remains uncertain.

  • March 12, 2024: February’s sports betting handle and revenue in Maine drop to $33.6 million, showing a decrease in total wagers.

  • February 22, 2024: Revenue from Maine sports betting rises in January, even as the handle reaches its lowest point since the market’s launch.

  • January 8, 2024: Maine legislators are working to legalize iGaming in 2024 to complement the state’s established online sports betting market, which began in 2023.

  • November 3, 2023: Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings accept the first legal online sports bets in Maine at 9:00 a.m. ET.

  • October 31, 2023: DraftKings partners with the Passamaquoddy Tribe to join Caesars Sportsbook in Maine. The Department of Public Safety announces the start of sports betting in Maine on November 3, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. ET.

  • October 3, 2023: Comments from the executive director of the Maine Gambling Control Unit confirm that the state is on track for a November sports betting launch.

  • July 18, 2023: The Maine Gambling Control Unit plans to issue temporary wagering licenses and expects legal sports betting to begin in November 2023.

  • April 4, 2023: A lack of interest from online sportsbook operators increases the likelihood of a 2024 launch for Maine sports betting.

  • January 11, 2023: Maine publishes proposed sports betting regulations. Milton Champion suggests that a launch could occur as early as April 2023, though it might be delayed until January 2024.

  • August 2, 2022: Milton Champion indicates that legal online sports betting in Maine might not start until January 2024.

  • May 29, 2022: Denise Terry, president of Scarborough Downs off-track betting, announces that May 30 will be its final operating day.

  • May 2, 2022: Gov. Janet Mills signs legislation permitting specific state tribes to offer mobile sports betting statewide. The law is set to take effect on July 31, 2022.

  • April 25, 2022: LD 585 is moved from the Senate’s “Special Appropriations Table” and sent to Gov. Mills for final approval.

  • April 19, 2022: The Maine Senate approves Gov. Mills' sports betting bill by a 23-11 vote. The bill allows mobile betting through the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, and Maliseet tribes and in-person betting at casinos. It awaits the governor’s signature.

  • February 11, 2022: Gov. Mills is working on a bill granting Maine's tribes exclusive rights to mobile sports betting.

  • January 18, 2022: Sen. Luchini resigns to join the U.S. Small Business Administration, leaving his sports betting legislation pending on the Appropriations Table.

  • July 20, 2021: LD 1352 stalls despite reaching the Appropriations Table, remaining there until the end of the 2021 legislative session.

  • July 2, 2021: LD 1352 faces a setback as it needs to pass through the Appropriations Table for fiscal review before reaching Gov. Mills.

  • June 23, 2021: The House of Representatives approves LD 1352 and prepares to send it to Gov. Mills.

  • June 1, 2021: The Senate passes LD 1352 to the House with amendments requiring mobile sportsbooks to be tied to in-state casinos. Sen. Luchini opposes this version, arguing it grants excessive control to casinos.

  • April 5, 2021: Sen. Louis Luchini renews efforts to legalize Maine sports betting with LD 1352, which does not require mobile sportsbooks to be linked to in-state casinos.

  • February 11, 2020: The House fails to override Gov. Mills’ veto of LD 553 by a vote of 85-57, ending the chance to legalize Maine sports betting for that year.

  • February 6, 2020: The Senate votes 20-10 to override Gov. Mills’ veto of LD 553, sending the matter to the House.

  • January 10, 2020: Gov. Mills vetoes LD 553, a 2019 bill aimed at legalizing both mobile and retail sports wagering in Maine.

  • May 2018: The Supreme Court repeals the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), allowing each U.S. state to legalize and regulate sports betting.

Is sports betting legal in Maine?

Yes, sports betting in Maine has an authorized and regulated sports betting market. In November 2023, the state officially launched both land-based and online sports betting. Players aged 21 and older can place wagers at licensed retail sportsbooks and through online platforms like Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings, operating in partnership with local tribes.

Who can bet on sports in Maine?

Maine sports betting is for individuals who are 21 or older. Here's a breakdown of the betting landscape in the Pine Tree State.

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Minimum Age

While a handful of states allow individuals 18 and up to bet on sports, Maine requires bettors to be at least 21 years old to wager at legal sportsbooks.

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Mobile Betting

Two sports betting apps are available in Maine: Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings. The Maine Gambling Control Unit oversees these operators.

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Remote Registration

Bettors can register with Maine sportsbooks remotely from anywhere in the state. State law does not require in-person registration at casinos or off-track betting facilities.

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In-State Betting

All online wagers must be made within state borders. Maine sports betting sites use geofencing software to keep out-of-state bettors at bay.

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Retail Sportsbooks

No legal retail sportsbooks presently operate in Maine. When legal retail sports betting arrives, Maine’s two casinos, Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino, will likely house the first retail sportsbooks.

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Taxable Winnings

If the stipulations of LD 1352 indicate what will eventually come to pass, there will be a 16% tax rate for online sportsbooks and a 10% rate for retail sportsbooks. Those numbers are in addition to the 24% tax applied by the federal government to all gambling winnings.

The pros and cons of Maine sports betting

Retail sports betting is coming to Maine — and online wagering has already arrived. Bettors can now wager online with Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings. Up to 10 retail sportsbooks will eventually accept legal in-person bets.

  • checkBoth retail and online betting legalized
  • checkUp to 10 retail sportsbooks
  • checkFew betting restrictions
  • crossOnly two online sportsbooks
  • crossNo betting on Maine college sports
  • crossDifficult to shop for the best prices

What you can't bet on in Maine

There aren't many restrictions when it comes to Maine sports betting. Notably, wagering on all Olympic and professional sports (and some college sports) are in play.

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Politics

No state-regulated sportsbook allows bets on political outcomes, and this holds true in the Pine Tree State. You cannot bet on politics at Maine sports betting sites.

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Entertainment award ceremonies

Betting lines for celebrity-laden events and awards shows are not available at Maine sportsbooks.

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esports

Maine sports wagering legislation includes language related to virtual sports competition, meaning that you can legally wager with esports betting sites within the state.

Other types of gambling

The Maine Gambling Control Board regulates commercial operations in the state. There are a couple of forms of legal gambling in Maine, including the Maine Lottery and charitable gaming.

🎰Casino

Maine is home to two casinos: Oxford Casino in Oxford and Hollywood Casino in Bangor. Wagering on sports at these venues, however, is prohibited.

Online gamblers are out of luck as there are no real money online casino websites in Maine.

🏇Horse and dog racing

There is one harness racetrack in the Pine Tree State: Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway. Both live races and legal pari-mutuel betting can be found here. There are also five off-track betting locations throughout the state, and those who are 18 or older can bet online via the Hollywood Races app or website.

🃏Poker

The only licensed live poker room in Maine exists within Hollywood Casino. As for online poker, the state does not regulate the practice.

🏆Daily fantasy sports

In 2017, Governor Paul LePage had a daily fantasy sports (DFS) bill come across his desk but did not touch it, allowing it to become law via his inaction. Sports fans in the Pine Tree State have access to industry leaders like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo.