Is sports betting legal in Maine?
No. Despite hopes that LD 1352, a bill introduced by Sen. Louis Luchini in April 2021, would finally bring legal sports betting to Maine, the 2021 legislative session ended with the bill still on the state’s Appropriations Table.
One of the major points of contention in getting sports wagering legalized in the Pine Tree State is tethering. In fact, Sen. Luchini voted against the final form of his bill after it was amended by the House of Representatives to include tethering, which ties mobile sportsbooks to in-state venues, when it initially hadn’t. Luchini stated that the act of tethering is “anti-competitive,” expressing concerns about how much power it provides casinos.
Another roadblock has been Gov. Janet Mills, who has not been afraid to put a stop to any sports betting bill that arrives on her desk. In January 2020, she vetoed LD 553, legislation introduced in 2019 that would have legalized mobile and retail sports wagering. The Senate voted to override her decision, but the House of Representatives did not.
However, all is not lost as there is an expectation that lawmakers will restart talks again in 2022.
Interact with our U.S. legal tracker for the latest on each state's path to legalized sports betting.
Timeline of sports betting in Maine
Despite LD 1352 stalling at the Appropriations Table last July, dooming any hope it had of moving forward during the 2021 legislative session, optimism still exists for 2022. Milton Champion, the executive director of the Maine Gambling Control Unit, has noted that “It’s a matter of when, not if, for Maine sports betting.”
The following timeline recaps the history of sports wagering in the Pine Tree State:
May 2018: The Supreme Court (SCOTUS) repeals the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), permitting each U.S. state to legalize and regulate sports betting.
Jan. 10, 2020: Gov. Mills vetoes LD 553, a bill introduced in 2019 that would have legalized mobile and retail sports wagering in the state.
Feb. 6, 2020: The Senate votes 20-10 to override Gov. Mills’ decision to veto LD 553, sending the motion to the House of Representatives.
Feb. 11, 2020: The House of Representatives fails to overturn Gov. Mills’ veto of LD 553 by a vote of 85-57, effectively ending the hope of legalizing sports betting for the year.
Apr. 5, 2021: Sen. Louis Luchini revitalizes hopes for legalized sports betting by filing LD 1352. Notably, the bill contains language that would not require mobile sportsbooks to be tethered to an in-state casino to operate.
June 1, 2021: The Senate passes LD 1352 on to the House of Representatives, but not before amending it to require mobile sportsbooks to be tethered. Sen. Luchini himself votes against this version of the bill, arguing that tethering provides casinos with too much control.
June 23, 2021: The House of Representatives approves LD 1352 and prepares to send it to Gov. Mills.
July 2, 2021: A setback occurs with LD 1352, as it must go through the Appropriations Table before reaching Gov. Mills. The committee is to ensure that the bill is fiscally sound.
July 20, 2021: Despite reaching the Appropriations Table, LD 1352 stalls out. It remains there until the close of the 2021 legislative session.
Jan. 18, 2022: Sen. Luchini resigns to take a position with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Meanwhile, the sports betting legislation he created still sits on the Appropriations Table.
Who can bet on sports in Maine?
Presently, there is no method of legally wagering on sports in the Pine Tree State. Should sports betting arrive in Maine, those who are 21 or older would be allowed to wager.
Legal age
While a handful of states allow individuals 18 and up to bet on sports, Maine will not follow in their footsteps and will stick with 21 and up.
Mobile betting
All forms of sports wagering are illegal in Maine, which means no legitimate mobile sports betting apps are accessible. Conditions to authorize and regulate mobile and online betting in Maine are included within LD 1352.
Remote registration
Currently, it's unclear whether bettors would be able to register for sportsbooks remotely online as opposed to in-person. Factors such as possible partnerships with state-based teams or the construction of new casinos will play into the registration process.
Within state borders
If and when Maine authorizes and regulates legal sports betting, any wager must be made within its borders. Those conditions also apply to betting at a retail venue, of course, but all online wagers must be verified in-state, too.
Retail sportsbooks
No legal retail sportsbooks presently operate in Maine. Should the Pine Tree State legalize sports wagering, Maine’s two casinos, Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino, will likely house the first retail sportsbooks.
Taxable winnings
If the stipulations of LD 1352 indicate what will eventually come to pass, there will be a 16% tax rate for online sportsbooks and a 10% rate for retail sportsbooks. Those numbers are in addition to the 24% tax applied by the federal government to all gambling winnings.
Crossing state lines: Nearby betting sites in 2022
As Maine continues to let time go by without legalizing sports betting, potential tax dollars seep over state lines. Not only is neighboring New Hampshire there to offer both online and retail betting, but bordering Canada recently repealed its ban on single-game sports wagering.
Not so far away, Connecticut also provides a fully realized sports betting market, and Massachusetts is inching towards legitimizing the practice, too. If Mainers are willing to travel, there are plenty of options to choose from, emphasizing the state’s need to establish its own market.
The pros and cons of Maine sports betting
Sports betting was nearly legalized in Maine for the second time in two years before LD 1352 stalled out on the Appropriations Table. Talks should reignite in 2022, however, and may be aided by the likelihood of more face-to-face interactions between lawmakers. According to Milton Champion, the Maine Gambling Control Unit’s executive director, online meetings “didn’t have the punch” that in-person negotiations offer.
Still, if a bill is to finally make its way into law in 2022, the concern around tethering may need further ironing out, and that’s before it even reaches Gov. Mills’ desk.
Both the House and Senate have shown support for legal sports betting
In-person meetings in 2022 should help negotiations
Mobile betting front and center
No clear timeline for when legal sports betting will arrive
Tethering remains a critical issue
Gov. Mills has vetoed sports betting bills in the past
How to start betting in Maine
Both retail and mobile sports betting seem likely to come to the Pine Tree State should it ever manage to legalize the practice. If this proves to be the case, Mainers will be able to peruse each sportsbook in its entirety before getting started.
1
Select a sportsbook
Picking a sportsbook means reading reviews from reliable sources, and the same applies to the best betting lines, bonuses, and available bet types. It is also advisable for new players, especially, to carefully read the fine print once sports wagering becomes available in Maine.
2
Register in person or online
If sports wagering becomes legal in Maine, registration should be made simple by the inclusion of mobile betting. Prospective bettors will therefore be able to complete the sign-up process no matter where they are within the state. To begin, bettors will have to share some personal information and confirm their identity before claiming any available bonuses.
3
Claim a bonus
Today's mobile sportsbooks serve up substantial bonuses – such as risk-free bets exceeding $1,000 – especially when it comes to welcome or sign-up promotions. Make certain to read the terms and conditions of each offer before moving forward.
4
Deposit funds
It shouldn’t be difficult to add funds to your sportsbook account. While the legal framework is not yet in place, it’s safe to assume that Maine sportsbooks will accept some combination of credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, PayNearMe, and more. Usually, the withdrawal options match those used for deposits or are similar.
5
Choose your bet types
Assuming legal sports wagering lands in the Pine Tree State, sports bettors should have access to all typical bet types. These include moneylines, Over/Unders (totals), point spreads, parlays, teasers, futures, live bets, and more.
6
Start betting
It’s vital to conduct research to pick out the best lines and claim the top bonuses from any given sportsbook. Once you’ve done that and added funds to your account, it’s time to begin betting. Ensure you are familiar with the conditions of each bet before placing your wager.
7
Withdraw funds
It takes time for withdrawals to be processed. The speed at which your winnings will arrive in your bank account will vary from sportsbook to sportsbook and will also depend upon the chosen withdrawal method.
Reading the odds
When legal sports betting in Maine becomes a reality, operators will display betting odds via American odds.
Favorites in any matchup are identifiable by a minus sign (-); the number following the value shows the amount of money you need to bet to win $100. In this example, -190 odds mean you need to risk $190 to win $100.
Underdogs are identifiable by a plus sign (+) and highlight the amount you would win if you bet $100. In this scenario, +130 odds means that a $100 wager would return $130 in profit.
You can input your choices to our odds converter to see possible payouts. You can also toggle between American, decimal, and fractional odds.
What you can't bet on in Maine
Those in the Pine Tree State do not presently have access to a locally regulated sportsbook. Should legal sports betting arrive in Maine, wagering on all Olympic, professional, and college sports should be in play.
Politics
No state-regulated sportsbook allows bets on political outcomes, and this will hold true in the Pine Tree State.
Entertainment award ceremonies
It is not unreasonable to think that betting lines for celebrity-laden events and awards shows could be made available by Maine sportsbooks. Right now, it’s an unknown.
esports
Eventually, Maine sports wagering legislation may come to include esports. For now, though, esports are off-limits.
What about Maine college sports?
College sports should be on the table when legal sports betting comes to fruition in the Pine Tree State. Stipulations in LD 1352 would have made this the case had that bill advanced. Maine bettors will have to stay away from wagering on any in-state collegiate teams, however.
Home team advantage: Maine sports
Eliminate any hometown bias by researching your bets. This is a top-tier method to keep you from blindly backing any team or player and consequently hurting your bankroll.
Our how to bet guides contain actionable insights for both new and intermediate bettors.
Other types of gambling
The Maine Gambling Control Board regulates commercial operations in the state. There are a couple of forms of legal gambling in Maine, including the Maine Lottery and charitable gaming.
Casino
Maine is home to two casinos: Oxford Casino in Oxford and Hollywood Casino in Bangor. Wagering on sports at these venues, however, is prohibited.
Poker
The only licensed live poker room in Maine exists within Hollywood Casino. As for online poker, the state does not regulate the practice.
Horse and dog racing
There are two harness racetracks in the Pine Tree State: Scarborough Downs and Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway. Both live races and legal pari-mutuel betting can be found there. There are also numerous off-track betting locations throughout the state, and those who are 18 or older can bet online via the Hollywood Races app or website.
Daily fantasy sports
In 2017, Governor Paul LePage had a daily fantasy sports (DFS) bill come across his desk but did not touch it, allowing it to become law via his inaction. Sports fans in the Pine Tree State have access to industry leaders like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo.
Responsible gaming in Maine
There is limited access to gambling within Maine. Still, many in the Pine Tree State who fall victim to gambling addiction. The Maine Council on Problem Gambling provides support and educational opportunities to raise awareness about problem gambling and promote recovery.
Visit the Maine Council on Problem Gambling
Legal U.S. sports betting markets
If Maine eventually opts for legalized sports betting, it would join these already legalized states:
