Regulated on-line poker and on-line on line casino gaming in Maine is only one step away from turning into legislation, with the invoice now awaiting motion from Governor Janet Mills.
If enacted, Maine would develop into the eighth state to legalize on-line on line casino and the ninth with legalized on-line poker.
However don’t get your hopes up but—Governor Mills is extensively anticipated to veto the invoice.
Even within the unlikely occasion she indicators it, the laws lacks any provision for multi-state poker compacts, which means on-line poker in Maine can be restricted to in-state gamers. Given Maine’s small inhabitants and restricted market potential, operators are unlikely to launch on-line poker beneath the present situations.
The invoice, LD 1664, launched in March, proposes to legalize on-line on line casino and poker in Maine, granting unique rights to the state’s 4 federally acknowledged tribes, successfully giving them a monopoly over igaming, just like the present mannequin for sports activities betting.
The 4 tribes—the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Mi’kmaq Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe, and Penobscot Nation—would every be allowed to accomplice with a single platform supplier. These tribes at the moment work with DraftKings and Caesars Leisure for sports activities wagering.
Excluded from the invoice are the state’s two industrial on line casino operators: Penn Leisure, which runs Hollywood On line casino Bangor, and Churchill Downs, which operates Oxford On line casino Lodge.
The invoice designates the Playing Management Unit (GCU) inside the Division of Public Security because the regulatory authority and stipulates that 18% of adjusted gross igaming income will go to the GCU. In line with state estimates, Maine may gather roughly $1.8 million in income within the first yr, rising to $3.6 million by fiscal yr 2026–27.
Nonetheless, the laws doesn’t embody provisions for Maine to affix an interstate on-line poker compact, such because the Multi-State Web Gaming Settlement (MSIGA), which at the moment consists of Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Given Maine’s comparatively small inhabitants, entry to a bigger participant pool by way of MSIGA is taken into account important for on-line poker to achieve the state. In the meantime, different states that launched igaming payments this yr have included express language allowing cross-border play.
All Eyes on Governor Mills
Though LD 1664 handed each chambers of the Maine Legislature, it now faces one remaining hurdle: approval from Governor Janet Mills. With the invoice on her desk, the Governor has two choices:
Signal the invoice into legislation
Veto it
Beneath Maine legislation, she has 10 days (excluding Sundays) to take motion. If she does nothing and the legislature continues to be in session, the invoice turns into legislation with out her signature. Nonetheless, for the reason that legislature adjourned sine die on June 25, the invoice can not develop into legislation by inaction. On this case, a scarcity of motion leads to a pocket veto.
Whereas Governor Mills has not made a public assertion about her intentions, her workplace has mentioned solely that it’s “monitoring” the invoice. In the meantime, tribal leaders recommend the Governor has proven little curiosity in advancing the laws.
Hypothesis is rising that Mills could in the end veto the invoice, given her longstanding reluctance towards playing enlargement. The truth is, she beforehand vetoed the same measure in June 2021 that may have allowed the tribes to function casinos on their lands.
Briefly, with out the Governor’s signature, LD 1664 is unlikely to develop into legislation, regardless of legislative approval.
Restricted Prospects for On-line Poker in Maine
Even when Governor Mills have been to signal the invoice, which stays unlikely, Maine’s on-line poker market would stay extraordinarily restricted. Realistically, solely two operators can be able to launch beneath the proposed framework.
One in every of them is WSOP On-line. Caesars Sportsbook is already dwell within the state by way of partnerships with the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi’kmaq Nation, and the Penobscot Nation. Since Caesars owns WSOP and runs is US on-line poker platform, it may, in principle, prolong its providing to Maine. Nonetheless, a launch seems inconceivable, because the invoice lacks any language permitting the state to affix interstate poker compacts.
The opposite doable operator is DraftKings. Whereas it doesn’t provide a full-fledged on-line poker platform, it does function Electrical Poker, a lottery-style sit and go product just like PokerStars’ Spin & Go or WSOP’s BLAST. As a result of this format doesn’t rely a lot on shared liquidity, DraftKings may probably launch Electrical Poker in Maine beneath the present invoice.
Because it stands, the invoice will not be a robust long-term answer for regulated on-line poker within the state. For the market to be viable, the laws would want to authorize Maine to affix interstate compacts similar to MSIGA, permitting for a bigger participant pool. Moreover, opening the market to industrial operators can be needed to draw main platforms like BetMGM, PokerStars, or the newly launched BetRivers Poker.
Briefly, even within the unlikely occasion of a signature, this invoice does little to maneuver the needle for on-line poker in Maine.
Please play responsibly. Have to be 21+ years outdated and bodily positioned within the licensed state to wager. In the event you or somebody has a playing drawback and needs assist, name 1-800 GAMBLER. For bonuses and promotions, T&C apply.
