Maine is the eighth state to legalize online casino after Gov. Janet Mills announced her approval on Thursday.
Mills had three-day period to act on a slate of legislation held over from last session. The release said she will allow LD 1164 to become law despite a letter from the state’s gaming regulators asking her to veto it, warning jobs could be lost at two Maine casinos.
The bill allows only the state’s four federally recognized tribes to operate an online casino business, similar to the framework for online sports betting.
“I considered this bill carefully, and while I have concerns about the impacts of gambling on public health, I believe that this new form of gambling should be regulated, and I am confident that Maine’s Gambling Control Unit will develop responsible rules and standards to hold providers of this new form of gambling accountable while ensuring that Maine’s tribes benefit from its operations,” Mills said. “It has always been my strong desire to work with Tribal leaders to improve the lives and livelihoods of the Wabanaki Nations, and it is my hope that this new revenue will do just that.”
Maine online casino details
The four tribes will pay an 18% tax on revenue, which is projected to generate $1.8 million in taxes in fiscal 2025-26 and $3.6 million the following year, according to legislative estimates, though Barry Jonas of Truist said those seem conservative.
Online casino is typically three or four times bigger than online sports betting, which has generated $59 million in operator revenues in 2025 through November. He thinks the market could hit $120 million in revenue by 2030.
Three of the tribes are partnered with Caesars for online sports betting while the Passamaquoddy Tribe picked DraftKings for their betting partner. It is unclear if they will be the only two operators for online casino as well.
The legislation goes into effect 90 days after the legislative session ends in April.
Credit ban bill to be heard
A bill that would ban sports betting customers from funding their account with a credit card will be heard Jan. 21 at 10 am.
LD 2080 inserts language into the sports betting law to prevent using credit cards, but it will not extend to online casino.
It is up to the state’s regulators to adopt rules around online casino, including “the use of credit and checks by persons making wagers.”
