A Maine online casino bill has cleared another major hurdle.
A committee of lawmakers this week voted LD 1164, which legalizes Maine online casino through the state’s tribal nations, off the Appropriations Table. Lawmakers sent 300 pieces of legislation to the table, and 117 are now making their way to Gov. Janet Mills.
Mills has 10 days to sign or veto the bills. The Mills administration testified against the online casino bill earlier this session, as did the Maine Gambling Control Unit and Gambling Control Board.
Maine online casino bill
LD 1164 gives online casino rights to the state’s four tribes:
- Passamaquoddy Tribe
- Penobscot Nation
- Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
- Milkmaq Nation
Maine would receive 18% of the gross revenue from online casino. The fiscal note estimates that would equate $1.8 million in its first year.
Not a done deal yet
Every bill that includes a fiscal note must make a stop at the appropriations table, which includes 13 lawmakers, after its passage in the legislature. According to Maine Morning Star, fewer than 10% of bills on the table go on to become law.
This year, approximately 40% of the bills made it off the table. Still, Mills provides one more hurdle. She has vetoed five bills already this year, according to the Morning Star.
With the legislative session adjourned, lawmakers will not be able to override a veto. She can also pocket veto by not signing the bill.
There was opposition to the bill, largely with arguments the online expansion would harm the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos.
Maine sports betting
The iGaming bill establishes the industry similarly to the state’s online sports betting. Maine ports betting launched in 2023 and has generated $9.1 million for Maine.
Three of the tribes partnered with Caesars for their sportsbook offering.
Another tribe joined up with DraftKings.
