A bill proposing the legalization of online casino gaming in Maine has hit a major obstacle in the Senate, just days after gaining approval in the House of Representatives. Representative Ambureen Rana’s LD 1164 passed in the House with a vote of 85-59 but failed to move forward in the Senate following a split vote and unsuccessful reconsideration motion.
As of June 16, the bill is still listed as unfinished business in the Senate, with the state’s first special legislative session scheduled to conclude on June 18.
Tribal-Exclusive Model Raises Opposition
LD 1164 would give the Wabanaki Nations —comprising the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, and Mi’kmaq tribes—exclusive rights to operate online casino games. These would include offerings such as digital slots, poker, roulette, and blackjack. This setup mirrors the model already in place for online sports betting, where the tribes also hold exclusive control.
Under the proposed legislation, each Wabanaki Nation would be permitted to work with a single commercial partner, similar to the existing framework with online sportsbooks. Currently, DraftKings and Caesars, the tribes’ sports betting partners, have expressed support for the bill.
However, the plan has met resistance from commercial gaming operators. Churchill Downs, which owns Oxford Casino, and PENN Entertainment, the operator behind Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway in Bangor, have voiced strong objections. The commercial casinos argue that tribal exclusivity could damage their land-based operations and amounts to an unfair monopoly.
Churchill Downs is also a founding member of the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG), an industry group that includes Cordish Companies and Monarch Casinos and Resorts, although PENN itself is not a member.
FanDuel, which testified before lawmakers earlier in the year, also raised concerns. Backed by BetMGM and Fanatics, the company urged lawmakers to reconsider the bill’s structure. It argued that allowing tribes to partner with more than one commercial operator would create a more balanced and competitive market.
Regulatory Concerns and Political Hesitation
Oversight of the online casino industry would fall under the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU), the same agency that manages sports betting. The bill proposes a 16% tax on online casino revenues—higher than the 10% rate applied to online sports betting. Revenue would be allocated toward various public programs, including addiction services and substance abuse support, while the remainder would be retained by the tribes.
Despite these provisions, MGCU Executive Director Milton Champion submitted written testimony in March expressing his disapproval.
“With the current gambling options in Maine and sports wagering being only in its second year, I do not believe that the addition of igaming is warranted at this time,”Champion stated. “Additionally, with any gambling expansion comes the increase in harm to problem gamblers. As a result of these concerns, the current administration is not in favor of any expansion of gambling.”
Even if LD 1164 manages to pass the Senate before the session ends, its future remains uncertain. There is no indication yet that Governor Janet Mills would sign the bill into law.
In a recent public statement co-signed by both Champion and Governor Mills, the administration reiterated that online casino gaming remains illegal in Maine, signaling continued executive opposition to the proposal.
Source:
“Maine online casino bill hits Senate roadblock after passing House”, sbcamericas.com, Jun 16, 2025
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