Maine Online Casino Revived by Lawmakers in House Hearing

Local legislators in Maine are discussing the possibility of approving the Maine online casino bill, LD 1164. The bill currently has a number of sponsors, with Representative Ambureen Rana leading the charge. Its other supporters include Joseph Tyrrell, Vice President of Government Relations for the Northeast Region for Caesars Entertainment.

This is the second time a Maine online casino bill has been pushed into becoming law within the state. 2024 saw LD 1777 five votes away from getting to Gov. Janet Mills’ desk for her signoff after the Maine Senate’s approval.

If LD 1777 got the necessary votes, it would’ve been the first Maine online casino bill passed. However, unlike the LD1164, the previous bill required a statewide referendum to authorize the gaming expansion.

What are the Main Proponents of the Maine Online Casino Bill?

LD 1164’s main proponents concern casino gaming options the tribal casino operators in Maine currently offer. If passed, LD 1164 will expand tribal gaming operators’ gaming offers to include various online casino real money games. This includes online versions of table games, live dealer games, and online slots that players could enjoy.

Moreover, if LD 1164 becomes law, gaming licensees could simply expand their existing relationships with online gambling companies in Maine. Currently, Maine casino players already have online options with Caesars Palace online casino and DraftKings Casino.

Opposition to LD 1164

While LD 1164 includes the tribal casino operators, there are some who oppose the latest Maine online casino bill. Churchill Downs’ Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor argue against an online gaming framework within the state. Namely, they note that it could result in tribal monopoly for the Wabanaki Nations.

FanDuel’s Government Relations staff member Michael Ventre voiced a similar reason for opposing LD 1164. Their company wants a more open market for potential operators within the state.

Meanwhile, Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU)’s Steve Silver explained his opposition to the bill. He stated that he was against limiting licensing for iGaming to current tribal casino operators within Maine.

That said, LD 1164 has been part of the discussion in the recent Maine House Committee Hearing. Legislators will take into account the various testimonies and decide whether to approve the bill or not. 

In the event that the House approves the Maine Online Casino bill, Maine could open their market to other USA online casinos