Maine's Legalized IGaming Bill Faces Last Major Obstacle

Maine inched closer to legalizing online gambling establishment gaming, however a significant challenge stays.


- LD 1164 calls for an 18% tax on online gambling establishment gaming operators.
- Gov. Janet Mills might veto the bill, most likely ending Maine's opportunities of legislating iGaming this year.
- The proposal took a winding political road to reach the unique appropriations table.


The state's Senate, accepting your home, put authorized LD 1164, an iGaming costs, on the "unique appropriations table" Wednesday. The proposition is among 100 bills headed to Gov. Janet Mills' desk, the Maine Morning Star reported. Mills has 10 days to sign and enact the iGaming step.


However, Mills might ban the expense, and the legislature, which already adjourned, would likely not bypass it this year. While she hasn't spoken publicly about the legislation, Mills hasn't preferred other video gaming efforts. She shot down two sports wagering efforts before reaching a compromise to enable legal sportsbooks to operate in 2022.


There is already kept in mind opposition to the proposal. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Gambling Control panel Chair testified versus the bill, using concerns about problem gaming and economic effects to in-person gambling establishments. In a state where DraftKings and Caesars run online sports wagering through tribal partnerships, FanDuel, Fanatics, and BetMGM likewise refuted the law.


Creating 'economic chance'


LD 1164 is "an act to develop economic opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations through web gaming." Four licenses would go to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Penobscot Nation, Mi'kmaq Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. The tribes would then partner with iGaming operators.


DraftKings and Caesars both run online casinos in other U.S. jurisdictions, making them likely candidates to benefit instantly from legal iGaming in Maine.


Online gambling establishment companies would pay the state an 18% tax rate on their adjusted video gaming income. That would produce an approximated $1.8 million in Year 1 and $3.6 million in fiscal year 2026-2027, according to a fiscal note included to the expense.


Maine's online sports betting operators generated over $93.7 million in earnings from more than $835 million in bets because 2023. The Pine Tree State filled its coffers with over $9 million from the 10% tax rate on sportsbooks.


Windy roadway


Getting LD 1164 to Mills' desk wasn't simple. Your house committee eliminated the bill in April, but it was reanimated throughout June's unique session, when it was amended to increase the tax rate from 16% to 18%.


After passing your house, the Senate pressed it through without a majority vote, the House to enact it. Sen. Peggy Rotundo motioned to put the procedure on the unique appropriations table, stalling it while legislators were still composing the state budget.


Rotundo stayed away from voting on passing the proposition, leaving it to fail by one vote, before keeping it alive by voting against a motion to decline the bill. After Rotundo eliminated it from the special appropriations table, the Senate finally passed it and moved it along.