Maine just cracked open the door to online casinos — but regulators aren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet.
A new bill, revived in a special legislative session, would let Maine’s four federally recognized tribes launch online casinos under a tightly regulated system. The proposal, LD 1164, was tabled earlier this year but is back with bipartisan support and a clear goal: take online gambling out of the shadows and put it under state oversight.
The timing? Not great if you’re running an illegal gambling site targeting Mainers. Because just hours after the bill resurfaced, the Maine Gambling Control Unit dropped a bomb of its own: a public warning that no online casino is currently legal in the state — no matter how slick the website or tempting the offer.
What’s in the Bill — and Who Gets to Run the Show
The legislation would allow Maine tribes to partner with platform providers to offer legal online casino games, including slots, blackjack, and even poker. Operators would be taxed at 18%, with revenues feeding a buffet of state funds — from opioid treatment to school renovation grants.
If passed, Maine could join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), letting it offer shared liquidity for online poker alongside states like New Jersey and Michigan. That’s a big deal for players — and potentially a game-changer for a small-state market.
But not everyone’s feeling the vibe. Public health officials warned lawmakers that 24/7 mobile access to gambling could exacerbate addiction risks. Meanwhile, commercial casino operators like Churchill Downs and Penn Entertainment aren’t thrilled about the competition.
Regulator’s Warning: “No One Is Licensed — Yet”
As lawmakers debated how to make online casinos legal, the Gambling Control Unit reminded Mainers that, for now, they’re not. In a sharply worded alert, director Milton Champion warned that many sites operating under the guise of “sweepstakes” or “social casinos” are, in reality, skirting state law.
“These sites may appear legitimate, but none are licensed or regulated by the state,” Champion said. And if something goes wrong? “The agency will not be able to intervene.”
The warning wasn’t subtle. It’s a reminder that while legal sports betting and fantasy contests are live in Maine, full-blown iCasino action is still off-limits — and likely will be for months, even if the bill passes.
What Players Need to Know
If you’re a Maine player wondering when you can legally play online slots or poker: It’s not today. Maybe not even this year. But if the bill gains traction and overcomes a likely veto threat from Gov. Janet Mills, Maine could see licensed tribal-run platforms hit the internet by 2026.
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