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Gov. Janet Mills to decide Maine's iGaming future this week

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Publish Date: Jan 05, 2026

Fact checked by: Sara Jane Gamelli

A three-day window awaits Maine Governor Janet Mills this week on whether iGaming should be legalized in the Pine Tree State.

The window, Wednesday, Jan. 7 through Friday, Jan. 9, is the time frame Mills has to either veto LD 1164 (An Act to Create Economic Opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations Through Internet Gaming) or allow it to become law by Saturday, Jan. 10.

Currently, seven states permit iGaming, and none have added since 2023. History is on the side of "veto" as neighbors Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Maryland have had similar proposals either fail or stalled thus far.

Maine's tribes would control and operate iGaming.

On Monday, poll results commissioned by Windsor, New Jersey-based National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG) and conducted by Washington, D.C.-based Lake Research Partners were released where 64% of the state's voters oppose legalized iGaming, close to half 49% strongly oppose.

Deeper Dive

The survey was conducted Dec. 13-16, 2025, with 500 likely general election voters in the state.

Voter concerns include the potential harm to children, families and communities, highlighted by the ability for minors to access gambling platforms on their own or parents' phone, potential addiction risks, along with financial harm.

"If Maine allows iGaming to become law, the state will stand out as an outlier in New England and across the country at a time when other governors and legislatures are hearing from their constituents and choosing not to move forward with this highly addictive form of gambling," said Jason Gumer, NAAiG Board Member and Executive Vice President & General Counsel at Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. in a news release. "The results ring loud and clear: Maine voters reject iGaming when they understand it puts a 24/7 casino on the same smartphones their kids use."

Survey results also showed that it could have implications on November's mid-term elections, with a majority of the voters less likely to vote for an individual who backed and supported legislation, no matter what the party.

"With a veto decision imminent, Gov. Mills has a clear signal from voters," Gumer said. "Legalizing iGaming is deeply unpopular, politically risky, and viewed as a direct threat to children, families and communities. The responsible course of action is to veto this legislation."

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