Maine Legalizes Online Poker & Casino Gaming
Maine has become the eighth state to legalize real-money online casino gaming and online poker. Governor Janet Mills allowed the Legislative Document 1164 to become law without a formal veto or signature after the legislature passed it. As a result, online casinos will be able to obtain official licenses in the future to offer their platforms to players in Maine.
Residents of the Pine Tree state will eventually be able to enjoy online slots, blackjack, roulette, and more through licensed online casino platforms. Maine will also become one of a handful of states to offer regulated online poker platforms. In the meantime, players have time to get some practice in before sites go live in Maine.
Online poker and casino fans will have to wait a little longer to play at state-licensed platforms. Platforms won’t go live until the regulatory framework has been laid out and operator licenses approved. It is expected that this will take some time, and work will proceed throughout the year ahead of a projected market launch next year. The Maine Gambling Control Unit will regulate the state’s new iGaming market, overseeing rules and licenses.
Under the new law, Maine’s four federally recognized tribal nations have been granted exclusive rights to offer online casino gaming in the state. Each tribe – the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, and Mi’kmaq Nation – is permitted to partner with one licensed third-party platform provider. At launch, there will likely be four legal online casino platforms available to Mainers.
The new law is intended to support economic development and investments in tribal communities. The historic agreement may cause a stir, as it has cut out the two non-tribally owned land-based casinos in the state. Governor Mills is enthusiastic about the benefits legalized iGaming will bring to Maine tribes.
“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. It has always been my strong desire to work with Tribal leaders to improve the lives and livelihoods of the Wabanaki Nations, and it is my hope that this new revenue will do just that.”
Governor Mills has gained a positive reputation in recent years for her continued commitment to tribal communities. Just some of the achievements accomplished during her time in office include delivering parity for the Mi’kmaq Nation, returning culturally important land, signing unprecedented tribal legislation, and establishing Indigenous Peoples’ Day in place of Columbus Day. In response to the latest news that Wabanaki Nations had been granted online gambling permissions, Chief William Nicholas Sr. of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township said:
“Governor Mills’ support for historic advances in tribal economic development, particularly her decision to allow LD 1164 to become law, marks an economic turning point for the Passamaquoddy people and for all Wabanaki Nations […] Our economies are undoubtedly stronger due to positive state policy changes under Governor Mills. Through her leadership over two terms, she has demonstrated an unmatched commitment to tribal self-determination and prosperity, earning her place as the greatest ever Maine Governor champion for Wabanaki economic progress. We are deeply grateful for her partnership and support.”
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At present, only six other states actually offer online poker. These are Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Online poker is also technically legal in Connecticut and Rhode Island, but as of yet, no operator has launched their offerings there. In the meantime, residents can use grey-market sites to play online poker. Now that Maine is the latest state to join that list, it is hoped that operators will follow through and enable Mainers to play online poker on their platforms.
While the news has mostly been met with praise, one land-based casino has decided to throw a spanner in the works. Churchill Downs, which operates Oxford Casino, is suing the director of the Maine Gambling Control Unit over the new legislation. The casino’s owner protests that the decision to allow Maine’s four federally recognized tribes to offer iGaming is unfair.
The owner of Oxford Casino described the situation as an “unlawful monopoly”, stating that the Maine Legislature “should give everyone a fair chance to compete”. The complaint also raises concerns that Maine’s proposed iGaming market could cost casinos up to 378 jobs. This would equate to around $22 million in lost labour income and almost $60 million in lost GDP.
Citing a study conducted by The Innovation Group in February 2025, it does concede that Maine could benefit from increased tax revenue. However, it claims that introducing online casinos to the state would only generate 11 jobs. Churchill Downs is one of two land-based operators based in the state, alongside Penn Entertainment.
The concerns raised by Oxford Casino are familiar ones that have been raised at land-based casinos across the US. This has not been enough to slow the pace of legalization in recent years, and it is unlikely that Maine will backtrack on its decision to legalize iGaming and grant those exclusive operational rights to Wabanaki Nations.
