Maine Could Legalize Online Casinos After All?

After tabling a bill earlier in this legislative session that would legalize online casino play in the state, the Maine House is now reconsidering it.

The bill, LD 1164, passed out of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee. It was given a favorable "Ought-to-Pass As Amended" vote last week.

Should this bill pass, online casinos would be legalized through the Wabanaki Nations.

They've revisited the bill after it was tabled in April. Right now, the Maine legislature is in a special session. The bills can also be carried into 2026.

This comes after Governor Janet Mills said she would veto any online casino/iGaming bills.

More on the Bill

As mentioned, this bill, LD 1164, would legalize online casinos throughout the Wabanaki Nations. This would align with how the state passed online sports betting legislation.

There would be four licenses, though three are partnered with Caesars and another is with DraftKings.

Wabanaki leaders said that allowing online gambling would help them earn revenue and wouldn't impact commercial in-person casinos in the state.

Wabanaki leaders also argue that it would help eliminate the "black market," also known as offshore online casinos

“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.

As a result of the bill, Maine would collect an 18% tax on online gambling

The state would then use those funds to assist with gambling addiction prevention, veteran housing, and opioid treatment.

With this 18% tax, it's estimated Maine would generate $1.8 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year and double to $3.6 million in 2026-27.

In the fiscal note, there is mention of potential civil suits, as expanding and existing commercial casino operators could see a revenue decrease, which contradicts the Wabanaki leaders' assessment.

There was a similar proposal last year from the Senate that fell short in the House.

Online Casino Concerns

According to WGME 13, the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce is concerned that expanding online gambling could result in fewer revenue opportunities for its community.

Per the chamber, commercial casinos could lose upward of $67 million in revenue and maybe even around 400 jobs if online casino legislation is passed.

The chamber also argues that this should be decided on by residents via voting

Now, the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce is running a campaign against the bill.

Commercial casino operators Churchill Downs and Penn Entertainment have come out against online casino expansion in the state.

The State of Online Casinos in 2025

Right now, online casinos are legal in Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Other states have proposed online casino legislation, including nearby New Hampshire. Senator Tim Lang proposed and tabled an online casino bill.

There have also been proposals in Ohio, Virginia, Wyoming, Indiana, and New York

Interestingly, with Ohio's proposal, it would legalize online real-money casinos, but ultimately do away with sweepstakes casinos.

There are two online casino bills in Ohio, SB197 and HB298. Of the two, HB298 would get rid of sweepstakes casinos.

We'll see what Maine decides to do with online casinos now.