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Milton Champion, Maine’s Gambling Control Unit Head, Targeted in No Confidence Letter
All nine of Maine’s casino inspectors have signed a letter of no confidence in Maine Gambling Control Unit (GCU) Executive Director Milton Champion, citing a “dysfunctional and toxic” work environment. However, nearly half of the GCU’s other employees endorsed a separate letter backing Champion’s leadership. The GCU is a bureau within the Maine Department of […]
‘It’s Dead’ Says Sponsor of Maine Online Casino Bill That Would’ve Benefited Tribes
The Maine online casino bill that would’ve allowed tribes to partner with iGaming operators failed in both chambers of the Maine Legislature on April 16. “It’s dead,” LD1777 sponsor state Rep. Laura D. Supica told Bonus. If it had passed and been approved by voters in November, the online gambling operators would have been Caesars […]
Maine Online Casino Bill Tabled As Supica Works to ‘Flip Votes’
The Maine online casino bill that would allow tribes to offer iGaming remains alive in the Senate, even though it was tabled on April 10. LD1777‘s sponsor, state Rep. Laura D. Supica, told Bonus that the bill could still pass before the legislature adjourns on April 17. Supica, D-Bangor, told Bonus four hours after the […]
Maine Online Casino Defeated in House, Has Slim Chance in Senate
A Maine online casino bill failed by three votes on April 9, when 74 members of the Maine House of Representatives voted against LD1777. Exactly 71 representatives voted for the iGaming measure that would have legalized iGaming for Mainers, with revenue heading to the state’s tribes. It likely means the bill is dead. However, the bill […]
Maine Internet Gambling Bill Returns, With Lawmakers Considering Higher 16% Operator Tax
A bill to legalize Maine internet gambling reemerged on Feb. 29, with House and Senate members agreeing in committee to change the proposed tax on iGaming operators partnering with tribes from 10% to 16%. In a 7-1 vote, the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs approved an amended LD1777. The five absent committee […]
Maine iGaming Bill Tabled But Not Dead in Unanimous Committee Vote
Maine could still see online casino gambling legalized in 2024. However, the Maine iGaming bill is on hold for at least two weeks while the state’s gaming regulators, stakeholders, and bill critics work out the details in a proposed amendment discussed on Jan. 29 in a committee. Around 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 29, members of […]
Public Hearing About Maine Online Casino Bill Interrupted by Bomb Threat
Maine legislators heard testimony about a proposed online casino bill on Jan. 3. However, lawmakers stopped short of making a decision about LD1777 during the public hearing in the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs. That’s because the Maine State House in Augusta was evacuated due to a bomb threat later ruled a hoax […]
Maine Gambling Control Unit’s Champion Back After Unpaid Suspension Over Tweets
Maine’s top gambling regulator Milton Champion resumed control of the state’s Gambling Control Unit (GCU) on Monday after serving a weeklong unpaid suspension over inappropriate tweets from his personal Twitter account. Officials first placed Champion, GCU’s executive director, on paid administrative leave in May after his tweets attracted the wrong attention. Since deleted, those tweets […]
Maine Rep. Collings Tribal Gaming Legislation Tabled, Renewed Sovereignty Push To Follow
A bill allowing Native American tribes in Maine to pursue retail casino gambling died in committee only a week after being introduced. The Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs tabled Rep. Ben Collings’ Act Regarding Tribal Gaming alongside two other gambling bills during sessions on May 22 and May 24. Collings’ bill, LD 1944, continued a decades-long […]
Maine’s Efforts for Online Casinos, Electronic Bingo and HHR Have All Failed
Maine’s efforts at gambling expansion in 2023 began late and ended early as its tribal online casino bill and a separate attempt to legalize digital bingo and historical horse racing (HHR) have both failed. These would have provided state residents with new gambling options besides sports betting, pending launch following its legalization in 2022. Both […]