After Governor Janet Mills (D) declared she would permit an iGaming bill passed by the State Legislature last session to become law, Maine became the ninth state to authorize online casino gambling.

The four federally recognized tribes in Maine are granted exclusive rights to iGaming by Legislative Document 1164. One online casino platform, or skin, will be permitted for each of the Wabanaki Nations: the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot.

According to LD1164, the state must get 16% of the gross gaming revenue from online casinos. The state's Opioid Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Fund will receive 3% of the tax money, the emergency response fund in Maine will receive 3%, and problem gambling assistance programs will receive 3%. The Emergency Housing Relief Fund receives 2%, the Maine Veterans’ Homes Stabilization Fund receives 3%, and the state gaming regulator receives the remaining 2% for administrative expenses.

In Maine, online sports betting is already exclusively owned by the Wabanaki Nations. Three of the tribes sided with Caesars Sportsbook and divided the profits to prevent oversaturation. DraftKings has collaborated with the Passamaquoddy.

In allowing iGaming, Maine joins Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Connecticut. Additionally, iGaming is reserved for Connecticut's federally recognized tribes.

Mills Modifies His Attitude 

The iGaming measure was predicted to be vetoed by Mills. Mills has been vocally against increased gaming during her time as governor. After consulting with tribal elders, she finally granted the tribes access to iGaming.

"This fall, I met with the five elected Chiefs of the Wabanaki Nations, who each spoke passionately about the importance of this bill in offering life-changing revenue for Tribal communities, as well as providing a form of economic sovereignty for their Nations,” said Mills. “I considered this bill carefully, and while I have concerns about the impacts of gambling on public health, I believe that this new form of gambling should be regulated, and I am confident that Maine’s Gambling Control Unit will develop responsible rules and standards to hold providers of this new form of gambling accountable while ensuring that Maine’s tribes benefit from its operations.”

"Working with Tribal leaders to improve the lives and livelihoods of the Wabanaki Nations has always been my strong desire," Mills continued.

Opposition to Casinos

Hollywood Casino Bangor and Oxford Casino Hotel & Sportsbook, two casinos in Maine, were against the iGaming law. The National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG) is affiliated with Churchill Downs, the company that owns and runs Oxford.

"For the past 15 years, Maine’s two licensed casinos have generated more than half a billion dollars in tax revenue for the state. That funding has supported education, public safety, community programs, local aid, and tribal allocations. This record of shared success is not theoretical. It is measurable, transparent, and relied upon by communities across Maine. It is important to be clear. Tribal nations already benefit from the existing casino tax structure. Opposition to this bill is not about excluding tribes or protecting narrow interests. It is about preserving a model that has worked for Maine workers, Maine communities, and tribal governments alike. Dismissing these concerns as self-interested complaints ignores both the facts and the substantial public stake involved.”

According to the NAAiG, only 16% of Maine citizens support online gambling, indicating a strong anti-iGaming sentiment.