- Maine considers Bill LD1164 for legal online casino gaming
- Wabanaki Nations tribes would control online casino gaming
- Tax revenues for 2025-26 could reach $1.8 million
Maine online casino gaming saw progress with the latest bill passed through the Veterans Affairs Committee this week by a vote of 8-5.
LD1164 was introduced earlier this year in March, but was tabled in April. It was recently revived during Maine’s special legislative session which can be extended all the way until and into 2026.
If approved, revenues from the bill would go towards gambling addiction, plus housing for veterans and opioid use treatment. The state’s Wabanaki Nations tribes would gain exclusive rights to offering online casino games like slots, blackjack, and roulette.
Potential Maine Online Casino Revenue and Next Steps
Authors of LD1164 provided an estimation for tax revenue from Maine online casinos during the 2025-26 fiscal year of $1.8 million should the bill pass.
Bill LD1164 Highlights
- 18% state tax
- Potential for $1.8 million in revenues for 2025-26
- Potential $3.6 million in revenues for 2026-27
- Operated by Wabanaki Nations
With an aim to create added revenues to the state’s tribes, the bill has the full backing from all four Wabanaki Nations tribes.
“Those revenues should be benefiting Mainers, not shadowy offshore companies or whoever runs the many apps that are currently available for illegal internet gaming,” said Chief William Nicholas Sr. of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk.
“Those revenues should be benefiting Mainers, not shadowy offshore companies or whoever runs the many apps that are currently available for illegal internet gaming.” — Chief William Nicholas Sr. of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk
Unlike in other states, Maine tribes are restricted from running casino operations on their own lands. The restrictions were put in place in the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act.
There is no definitive timeline for next steps as Maine is in their special legislative session. During the session, bills can be approved, debates can continue and bills can even be carried over into the next session in 2026.
Governor Janet Mills has also openly opposed previous casino expansion bills and has publicly stated she would veto future bills, which adds another wildcard into the mix.
Current Casino Options in Maine
Maine is home to two retail brick-and-mortar casinos with the Oxford Casino Hotel and the Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor.
These casinos offer a variety of slots and table games, plus in-person sports betting. They’re owned by Churchill Downs and Penn Entertainment respectively. Both are against LD1164, with a fear of decreased revenues for their existing operations.
The state’s four Wabanaki Nations tribes, (Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Micmac, and Maliseet), were each previously granted licenses to offer online sports betting.
Maine legalized sports betting in May 2022, with the first bets being placed on November 3, 2023. The Pine Tree State offers both legal retail and online sports betting. However, sports betting is only offered online. Three tribes have partnered with Caesars and one with DraftKings and earn a 50% share of the revenues.
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