Maine Sports Betting

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.