The bill, LD 1164, would grant the state’s four federally recognized tribes —the Penobscot Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe, Maliseet Nation, and Mi’kmaq Nation —a monopoly over iGaming, similar to the current sports betting model in the state.

Each tribe would receive one license and could partner with a third-party operator. The tribes currently work with DraftKings and Caesars Entertainment for sports betting, meaning these partnerships are likely to expand to iGaming as well.

The proposed tax rate on iGaming revenue is 18%.

A Complicated Legislative Journey

The Senate passed the proposed legislation on June 25, one week after the House, sending the measure to the governor’s desk.

The bill’s path was anything but ordinary. Lawmakers initially tabled it in April. However, the House resurrected it and passed it in a special legislative session in June. The Senate then also advanced the measure as “to be engrossed as amended.”

That typically signals a bill is on track for passage. However, because the Senate advanced it without a majority roll-call vote, LD 1164 proceeded directly to the enactment stage.

The House enacted it straight away, but the Senate placed it on the Special Appropriations Table. The Senate’s decision effectively paused the progress until the state’s budget-writing committee approved further action.

After a week sitting on the Special Appropriations Table, the bill was removed, and the Senate ultimately passed it.

Still, even though the legislature passed it, speculations started circulating that the governor might veto it. She had not commented on it, but Mills has a history of vetoing gambling bills. Previous vetoes include a sports betting proposal in 2020 and a tribal retail casino bill in 2021.

Additionally, the governor’s administration, including the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and Maine Gambling Control Board Chair Steve Silver, testified against the bill in committee. They raised concerns about gambling addiction and job losses in the retail sector.

Mills Decides To Delay Bill Until 2026

In Maine, once both legislative chambers pass a bill and present it to the Governor, she has 10 days (excluding Sundays) to either sign it or veto it. The Governor can also allow it to become a law without a signature. However, that’s only if the Legislature is still in session.

If the Legislature has adjourned (as is the case now), Mills’s inaction results in a “pocket veto”, and the bill does not become law.

The 10-day deadline for LD 1164 expired on July 7. On the following day, the governor’s office released a list of 60 bills, including the iGaming bill, on which Mills has decided not to take any action.

That inaction effectively kills the bill for 2025. Still, the good news for Maine gamblers is that it does not entirely end its prospects. Under Maine law, LD 1164 will be held over to the next legislative session. Lawmakers will reconvene in January 2026.

Once the Legislature reconvenes in January 2026, the governor will have three days to sign, veto, or take no action on the bill. If she fails to act again, the bill will automatically become law.

The post Maine’s Online Casino Bill Now Pushed to 2026 as Governor Fails to Act appeared first on CasinoBeats.

LD1164 was introduced by Rep. Ambureen Rana (D-Bangor) and Sen. Marianne Moore (R-Calais) in March. After being tabled in April, it is under consideration in a special legislative session that runs until June 18. 

The House voted 85-59 in favor of the proposal, which has been backed by the Wabanaki Nations to increase their ability to offer online gambling. 

Online Casinos to Follow Maine Sports Betting Model

The bill still faces further votes in the House and Senate before it can be enacted. If it makes it through the legislative process, each of the four tribes in the Wabanaki Nations would be allowed to contract with a single iGaming operator to offer games like poker, blackjack, roulette, and slots.

Under the proposal, tribes will pay an 18% revenue tax to the state, which is estimated to generate $1.8 million in the first year, rising to over $3 million annually thereafter. 

Sports betting is already legal through the tribes, which sees the four tribes partner with an online sportsbook. The tribes pay $200,000 for a four-year online sports betting license as well as 10% of revenue in taxes. 

Rep. Brian Reynolds, the tribal representative for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, commented that the model has been a success. Quoted in local media, Reynolds said: “We know how to do this the right way. We’ve seen how the regulation of sports wagering has worked in Maine quietly, efficiently, with no disruption to local communities. I-gaming will be no different. We are asking for the chance to build.”

Tribes back proposal to reduce illegal gambling

Chief William Nicholas Sr. of the Passamaquoddy tribe backs the bill to benefit Mainers and reduce the impact of illegal gambling websites. 

He commented: “The lost business opportunity for a legal and state-regulated entity is in the tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars per year.”

“Those revenues should be benefiting Mainers, not shadowy offshore companies or whoever runs the many apps that are currently available for illegal internet gaming.”

The Maine Gambling Control Unit (GCU) issued a public warning this week about illegal casino platforms. In a press release, the GCU stated: “The Gambling Control Unit wants to make it very clear: no online casino, iGaming, or sweepstakes site is licensed by the Gambling Control Unit.”

The statement added: “The Gambling Control Unit cannot provide assistance or intervention in cases of disputes regarding winnings or other account issues arising from participation in illegal iGaming.”

Bill still faces strong opposition  

The legislation still faces obstacles with opponents warning that legalization through the tribes will negatively impact commercial casinos in the state. 

Maine Gaming Control Board Chair Steve Silver commented in a recent hearing that, “Oxford and Hollywood Casinos employ nearly 1,000 Mainers. Legalizing iGaming without permitting them to participate will lead to job cuts — I am willing to bet on it.”

The Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce estimates that legalizing online casinos could result in up to $67 million in lost revenue for the two operators and eliminate approximately 400 jobs.

Oxford Casino representative Dan Walker voiced the company’s opposition to the legislation, stating, “This bill would create a gaming monopoly for the Wabanaki Nations with little economic benefit to Maine.”

Governor Janet Mills has also expressed concern over legalizing iGaming and previously stated that she would veto any bills that reach her desk. 

The bill, therefore, still has a long way to go before online casinos in Maine become a reality. But the approval in the House marks progress on the issue that was rejected in a vote last year 75-70.

The post Maine House Votes To Allow Online Casinos Through Wabanaki Nations appeared first on CasinoBeats.