Maine Sports Betting 2023: What Online Sportsbooks are Legal in Maine?

Can You Sports Bet in Maine?

Yes, you can bet on sports in Maine. Although the law was passed to allow companies to offer sports betting, Maine took a while to finalize rules and regulations for sporst betting in the state. Online sportsbooks went live on Nov 3, 2023.

Where Can I Bet on Sports in Maine?

There are two methods for sports betting in Maine: retail betting at casinos or other licensed locations and mobile betting. There are two casino locations in Maine, Hollywood Casino in Bangor and the Oxford Casino in Oxford, both of which offer in-person sports betting.

Betting on mobile devices is also available.  Caesars Sportsbook will be the primary provider of online sports betting, as it has already agreed to partnerships with three of the state's four tribes. You can also bet at DraftKings. 

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Maine?

Online sports betting is legal in Maine, but not yet live. Maine online sports betting was legalized in the summer of 2022. However, the process to approve the rules under which sports betting will be governed has proved to be long. 

Sports betting online in Maine is now expected to go live on Nov. 3.

Do I Need to be a Maine Resident to Bet on Sports Online?

You will not need to be a Maine resident to sports bet online. However, you will need to be located within state lines while you are using Maine betting sites. Maine online sports betting operators will use geolocation technology to confirm you're located within the state, and you will have to prove you are over 21 when opening an account.

What Maine Sportsbooks Will Launch?

Caesars partnered with the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi’kmaq Nation, and the Penobscot Nation in May of 2023 to provide online sports betting services. DraftKings also applied for a license and was approved. 

Maine state law allows for each of the four recognized tribes to have one online platform, meaning the final one is still up for grabs. Members of the Sports Betting Alliance, including BetMGM, FanDuel and Fanatics, have stated they will not pursue licenses in Maine. We believe DraftKings Sportsbook will be the fourth operator in Maine. Other potential online operators could include Barstool Sportsbook or bet365 Sportsbook, as they ahve have relationships with the owners of the state's two existing retail casinos.

When will Maine Sportsbooks Launch?

Maine sportsbooks  launched on Nov. 3, 2023.

Maine Sportsbooks Partnered with Sports Teams

No sportsbooks have partnered with Maine sports teams yet. When Maine sports betting goes live, it is possible that there will be partnerships between sports betting sites in Maine and some local teams. This is an extremely common type of relationship in states where sports betting is legal.

Maine has no Big 4 pro sports teams, but there could be opportunities for neighboring states' teams—Boston Celtics, New England Patriots, Boston Bruins or Boston Red Sox— or even Canadian teams, including the Montreal Canadiens or Ottawa Senators.

Best Maine Sportsbooks

Maine sportsbooks will be in a unique situation with three of the four available online licensed already claimed by one operator: Caesars Sportsbook Maine. This will no doubt be the top sportsbook available in the state.

This is an experienced brand that delivers an excellent all-around offering, with a broad choice of sports to wager on and a high frequency of tempting and creative bonuses. The sportsbook and mobile sports betting app also deliver a first-class user experience for those who want to enjoy betting in Maine.

Best Maine Sportsbook for NFL Betting

Data-driven NFL bettors will love the DraftKings Maine Sportsbook . This operator offers live betting and a wide range of NFL futures markets, complete with strong data & stats that set it apart. 

For example, users can see exactly how many times each competitor has covered the '"Both Teams to Score" wager before actually placing a bet.

Maine Sportsbooks Not Expected to Launch

Several sportsbooks have said they are not planning to come to Maine anytime soon. One of those operators is BetMGM. There is, however, a promo code available for you to use today if you find yourself in a nearby state with legal sports betting, such as New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, or New York. You can learn more at this BetMGM Maine review.

Though it's one of the nation's most downloaded online sportsbook apps, FanDuel Maine is not expected to become a reality in the near future. FanDuel is a member of the Sports Betting Alliance, which has said it does not plan to launch in Maine due to its revenue guidelines.

However, news in the sports betting world changes quickly and often. So make sure you bookmark and come back to BetMaine to get the latest updates.

How ME Sports Betting Compares to Legal States

Maine sports betting is unique among states in the Northeast. It only allows for four online licenses, each tied to one of the federally recognized tribes in the state. Caesars Sportsbook in Maine will have a virtual monopoly on online sports betting, given its deals with three of those four tribes. 

Several major sportsbook operators have said they will not pursue licenses in Maine due to the state's revenue-sharing model, which stipulates that the tribes will retain at least 50% of online revenue. Operators can get between 30-40% of the revenue generated.

It's taken Maine about a year and half from legalizing sports betting to actually launching it in the state, as the process of approving sports betting regulations has taken a long time.

Fewer than 1.5 million people live in Maine, and no Big 4 teams are located there. As a result, the legal ME sports betting market will inevitably be smaller than in other states. Nevertheless, there are places nearby, such as New Hampshire and Connecticut, that do not feature any top-level pro sports teams yet still deliver a healthy level of tax revenue to the state government in question.

Timeline for Maine Sports Betting Legislation

• 📆 Aug. 2, 2022: Maine sports betting is officially legalized, following the state’s statutory 90-day wait for all laws to become effective. 
• 📆 May 2, 2022: The law permitting sports betting in Maine is signed by Gov. Janet Mills.
• 📆 April 19, 2022: The state senate passes LD 585, meaning the last hurdle before legal sports betting has been cleared.
• 📆 Feb. 11, 2020: The Maine House of Representatives does not reach the 2/3 majority needed to override Mills' veto, keeping sports betting in Maine illegal for now.
• 📆 Feb. 6, 2020: The Maine Senate votes to override Mills' veto.
• 📆 Jan. 10, 2020: Gov. Janet Mills vetoes LD 553, a bill legalizing sports betting that had been passed by both houses in the 2019 legislative session.
• 📆 June 19, 2019: The Maine state legislature passes LD 553, which would have legalized sports betting.
• 📆 May 14, 2018: The U.S. Supreme Court overturns the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, opening the door for states to legalize sports betting.
• 📆 1980: The Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act is signed by President Jimmy Carter, giving tribes $81.5M in reparations for land taken from them but also limiting their sovereignty. 
• 📆 1976: Tribes living in Maine receive federal recognition thanks to the decision in Passamaquoddy Tribe v. Morton.
• 📆 1974: The Maine Lottery goes live after a public vote.

Who Regulates Maine Sports Gambling?

The Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU) regulates Maine sports gambling. The MGCU has been charged with the task of overseeing the Maine sports betting market once it launches. 

The Maine Gambling Control Unit is currently in the process of finalizing regulations under which the sports betting market will operate. It will also regulate retail and online licenses, as well as oversee the ongoing conduct of retail and online sports betting ME.

Maine Sports Betting Licenses

Under the terms of the sports betting bill passed by the state legislature and the Maine Gambling Control Unit, there are 4 ME online sports betting licenses and up to 10 retail betting licenses. Each of the state’s 4 federally recognized tribes will be offered an online license, which it can use in conjunction with a commercial sportsbook provider.

Each license will cost $200,000 every 4 years, and the commercial partner will have to pay $40,000 on top of that. The tribes will have to hand over a 10% tax on their revenue. 

Both of the state’s retail casinos will be allowed to apply for a license to operate in-person betting on their premises. Up to 4 further licenses per casino could be issued to racetracks and off-track betting facilities.

Maine Sports Betting Revenue Projections 2023

Maine's Gambling Control Unit has estimated that Maine sports betting may generate up to $6.9M in tax revenue. That suggests that retail and online betting ME operations could generate a total annual gaming revenue of nearly $70 million.

However, until state officials finalize the sports betting market, Maine revenue predictions are inevitably unclear.

To find out how much you might owe on a winning Maine sports bet, use our Maine tax calculator.

How Experts Rank the Best ME Online Sportsbooks

To maximize your potential for profit with Maine's online sportsbooks and to ensure that you get the best experience possible, pay close attention to the following tips for choosing the best Maine online sportsbook:

Read Reviews of Online ME Sportsbooks

It is a virtual certainty that all the operators that obtain licenses to offer sports betting in ME will already be live in several other states. That means you can do some online research and find out what customers in other states think of those brands. Check their ratings at the app stores too, and look for things that many people say each operator does well – and where it might be lacking.

What Bets are Allowed at Online ME Sportsbooks?

At first glance, all Maine sports betting sites and apps might look the same; look closer, though, and you’ll find variations between sportsbooks. Some brands focus strongly on prop bets, others might have a more generous selection of futures. You might also find certain sports are covered in less depth, or not at all, at particular Maine sports betting sites.

Competitive Odds at Online ME Sportsbooks

Experienced bettors understand that there are subtle variations in the odds and lines different operators offer on the same market. You can become adept at working out which Maine online sports betting operators offer the most competitive odds and other odds boosts. This can vary between sports, and even at different times of day in the countdown to kick-off.  

Welcome Bonuses at Online ME Sportsbooks

Bonuses will be a key part of all Maine sportsbooks’ armory in the battle for customers’ loyalty. This is particularly apparent when it comes to the welcome bonus that should grab your attention and tempt you to sign up. Your offer might be in the form of a deposit match, or the chance to play your first stake again if your bet loses, or the opportunity to get a stack of bonus bets in return for a single small stake.  

Online ME Sportsbooks' UX & Customer Service

This is one of the most important considerations in online betting. Maine residents will value a superlative user interface that makes it easy to find the markets you want, and to place your bets quickly and simply. Similarly, a glitchy and slow-moving user experience will have bettors looking to take their custom elsewhere.

The quality of service you receive from a customer support team can make a big difference to the way you perceive a Maine sports betting app or site. There should be plenty of ways of getting in touch, including a 24/7 live chat function, email and, ideally, a toll-free phone number. It’s also important that the service you receive when you make contact is quick, professional, and efficient.

Why Sign Up For Multiple Maine Sports Betting Sites?

There are several good reasons why you should sign up with multiple sportsbooks in Maine once they launch. By being able to access more than one sportsbook, you can compare odds to be sure you are getting the best value for a particular wager. You can also take advantage of several welcome bonuses and, over time, work out which of the Maine sports betting sites suit you the best.

Promotions for Maine Sports Betting Sites

You should expect to see plenty of Maine sportsbook promos when you're ready to start wagering. This should begin with an entertaining welcome offer, such as a deposit match, a bet-and-get promo that earns you several bonus bets, or the chance to play your stake from a losing first wager for a second time.

Regular bettors at sportsbooks in other states can also take advantage of odds boosts, enhancements on same-game parlay payouts, and the chance to enter exclusive competitions with cash prizes at stake.

Retail Sports Betting in Maine vs Mobile Sports Betting

Sports betting in Maine can involve playing at a retail sportsbook or wagering online through your desktop or mobile device. There are advantages to both ways of placing bets on sports.

Many bettors will enjoy in-person  Maine sportsbooks at a location licensed to offer retail sports betting. You are surrounded by like-minded folks who are there to enjoy gambling on top sporting events, and there are staff on hand to help you with any queries. Additionally, if you wager in cash you should get any payout straight away rather than wait several days for the sportsbook to clear the withdrawal.

However, huge numbers of sports bettors will enjoy ME online sports betting. The main reason is the convenience of being able to place a bet wherever you are; at home, at work, traveling, out with friends, or even at the sporting event you want to bet on. The operators likely to run Maine sportsbooks will offer the chance to offer a choice of great Maine sports betting apps that make it easy to wager on the go.

Available Sports Wagers at Legal ME Sports Betting Sites

If you decide you prefer online betting, ME sites and apps should make it possible to place your wagers in a variety of ways. The most common types of bets available at legal Maine sports betting sites will include:

• ✅ Moneylines
• ✅ Parlays
• ✅ Totals
• ✅ Point Spreads
• ✅ Prop Bets
• ✅ Futures
• ✅ Live Betting

Maine Sports to Bet On

The most popular sports you will be able to wager on at ME sports betting sites and retail sportsbooks will be:

• NFL Betting Wherever you go in the USA, you will find large numbers of fans obsessed with football. The NFL is the richest pro sports league in the world, and millions love to watch it – and to bet on it. Football tends to be the sport that attracts the most wagers, and bettors love parlays, point spreads and props – as well as the opportunity to wager in play. Even though there is no NFL team in the state, expect a high level of Maine sports betting on the sport.
• NBA Betting Second only to football in terms of betting interest – and ahead of it in a few states – is basketball. The NBA has fans from coast to coast, who love to watch right through the regular season and all the way to the NBA Finals. As a result, there will always be extensive basketball markets available for Maine online sports betting customers. It’s a sport that is ideal for totals bets, point spreads and in-play wagers.
• NHL Betting Given its proximity to hockey-mad Canada, it’s no surprise that the NHL has a high profile in Maine. There is bound to be a solid level of interest in wagering on the top hockey action among those who enjoy sports betting in Maine. Hockey bettors enjoy the puck line – the sport’s version of the point spread, and it’s always an enjoyable challenge to place live bets on such a fast-moving sport.
• MLB Betting Baseball has serious claims to be the most popular sport in Maine. As a result, you can expect a healthy amount of Maine sports betting to be focused on the sport still known as America’s Game. You will find extensive ways of wagering on baseball at ME sports betting sites, all the way through the regular season and on the road to the World Series.
• College Sports Betting Many people enjoy wagering on the best NCAA action, particularly college football or baseball games. Once Maine sports betting sites are launched, you will not be able to place bets on games involving in-state teams. However, you will still be allowed to wager on games featuring teams from outside Maine.
• Soccer Betting Soccer now has a global profile, and has become more popular in the USA in recent decades thanks to the growing prestige of the MLS. If soccer is key to your sports betting, ME websites will be sure to carry a generous selection of wagering options. As well as the MLS, you should find markets on leading European leagues and top international tournaments.

Maine Teams to Sports Bet On

Maine is one of several states with no representative in any of the big 4 pro sports leagues. However, there are several minor league teams in the Pine Tree State that draw strong local support. As a result, you are likely to get the chance to wager on their fortunes at Maine sports betting sites.

⚾️ Portland Sea Dogs

Baseball fans in Portland have plenty to cheer with the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, and the team attracts good local support. The Sea Dogs won the Eastern League championship title in 2006, and you can occasionally spot vacationing celebrities in the stands at their Hadlock Field home.

🏀 Maine Celtics

The Celtics play in the NBA G League and are, not surprisingly, affiliated to the Boston team of the same name. Previously known as the Maine Red Claws, the team won its divisional title three years in a row in 2015-17. The team has always enjoyed terrific support at its Portland Exposition Building arena, and attract plenty of hoops fans from the local area.

🏒 Maine Mariners

Hockey fans have had the chance to cheer on the Mariners since the 2018-19 season, when they replaced the Portland Pirates. The Mariners play in the ECHL, and reached the play-offs for the first time in the 2021-22 season. They repeated that feat 12 months later, but on both occasions were knocked out in the first play-off round by the Reading Royals.

🏒 Maine Nordiques

Away from Portland, hockey fans in Lewiston can get behind the Nordiques, a junior team in the East Division of the NAHL. The team was founded as recently as 2019, and the Nordiques reached the divisional semi-finals in the 2023-23 play-offs.

Alternatives to Maine Sports Betting

Historically, Maine has been slow to embrace any and all forms of gambling, which may be one reason why it is taking so long to launch the legal Maine sports betting industry.  

When it comes to betting, ME residents have very few options available to them. The only options currently available are to visit one of the two retail casinos based in the state, to wager on horse racing, or to play the state lottery. 

Casinos in Maine

There are only two physical casinos in Maine. They are the Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor and the Oxford Casino Hotel. Each offers several hundred slot machines and a solid selection of table games. Under the new sports betting law passed in 2022, both casinos will be permitted to apply for an ME sports betting license but for in-person wagering only.

It's worth noting that Maine online casinos are not legal yet, so gamers in the state will have to wait a bit longer. While you wait, however, you can read up on the latest promos and reviews for brands like DraftKings Casino Maine.

Horse Racing in Maine

Most horse racing in Maine takes place at First Tracks Cumberland and the Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor. You can place pari-mutuel bets on the races, but through only one site, Hollywood Races. That is slated to change in 2024, however, with a new measure allowing for more horse racing operators to apply for licenses in Maine.

It will be interesting to see which tracks apply for a license to offer sports betting in ME to visitors when they get the opportunity.

Maine Lottery

The Maine Lottery has been in operation since 1974, after it was launched following a public vote. It offers a lively selection of games, with the usual mixture of state-only contests and access to multi-state events with big prizes, such as Powerball. State lotteries elsewhere have played a role in administering sports betting, but it looks unlikely that the state will offer the Maine Lottery a similar role in this instance.  

Deposit and Withdraw from ME Sports Betting Sites

The experienced operators likely to be licensed to create KY sports betting sites will offer a host of ways in which you can deposit money into your account. The process should be as swift and painless as possible. Among the methods available should be: