Online Casino Legalization in Maine Faces Final Test and Awaits Governor’s Call

Maine is edging closer to legalizing online casino gaming, but the final decision now rests with Governor Janet Mills—and her silence leaves room for uncertainty.

Good to know

• LD 1164 would authorize four iGaming licenses, exclusively for tribal nations.
• Governor Mills has 10 days to sign, veto, or let the bill lapse into law.
• Opponents include state health officials, in-person casinos, and rival sportsbooks.

Lawmakers in both chambers have advanced LD 1164, a bill that would allow online casinos to operate through partnerships with Maine’s recognized tribal nations. The Senate placed it on the “special appropriations table” earlier this week, joining nearly 100 other bills awaiting the governor’s signature.

While the bill’s progress marks a big shift, it faces a major hurdle. Mills has not publicly addressed the iGaming proposal, but her track record shows caution around gambling expansions. In the past, she vetoed two sports betting efforts before finally allowing a tribal-partnered compromise in 2022. If she vetoes LD 1164 now, the legislature likely cannot override it this year because it has already adjourned.

Tribes Would Hold Licenses as State Eyes New Revenue

LD 1164 is framed as a pathway to economic opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations. If enacted, it would issue one license each to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Penobscot Nation, Mi’kmaq Nation, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. Those tribes would then form partnerships with iGaming operators—opening the door for companies like Caesars and DraftKings, which already run online casinos in other states.

Operators would face an 18% tax on adjusted gaming revenue. A fiscal note tied to the bill projects $1.8 million in state revenue in the first year, rising to $3.6 million by the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

Maine has already seen online sports betting generate solid returns. Since launching in 2023, sportsbooks took in over $835 million in bets, producing $93.7 million in operator income and over $9 million in tax revenue under a 10% rate.

LD 1164 nearly died more than once. A House committee initially voted it down in April, but lawmakers brought it back in a special June session, amending it to raise the proposed tax rate from 16% to 18%.

While the House gave its approval, the Senate took a more complicated route. The bill narrowly survived when Senator Peggy Rotundo declined to support a motion that would have killed it. Instead, she moved the bill to the special appropriations table, allowing time for budget discussions before pulling it back for a final vote.

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