Maine will become the next state to launch sports wagering, as it will go live Friday at 9 a.m.
According to a news release by the Department of Public Safety’s Gambling Control Unit on Tuesday, licensed operators and their management service providers and suppliers will be able to begin advertising for registration and account deposits Wednesday, with live wagering set for two days later.
The third version of the updated Maine sports betting rules and regulations had already been submitted to Attorney General Aaron Frey’s office for review and approval of those rules happened Tuesday. The Secretary of State’s office also gave final approval.
State Will Have Four Mobile Licenses
There are four mobile licenses. Caesars Sportsbook Maine will supply its mobile sports betting/gaming platform to the Mi’kmak Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, and the Penobscot Nation tribes.
DraftKings announced a partnership with the Passamaquoddy Tribe late Tuesday afternoon. DraftKings also announced it would donate $100,000 to the Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund in response to last week's tragedy in the state.
Maine is New England’s fifth state to launch sports wagering, as Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island have already been legalized. Vermont awaits its launch in January 2024. The Pine Tree State is also the fourth state to launch this year behind Kentucky, Massachusetts and Ohio.
Retail sportsbook locations in the state will not open till later this year or early 2024. There are two commercial casinos in Maine (Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway, PENN Entertainment, Bangor; and Oxford Casino, Churchill Downs) and six off-track betting facilities in the state. All would be eligible for a retail sports betting license.
Some other sports betting details: each tribe will pay a 10% tax on gaming revenue; license renewal will be required ($200,000 every four years); brick-and-mortar licenses will cost $4,000 to renew every four years; betting on in-state college teams is prohibited; and there is a minimum age of 21 to bet.
Last May, Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill allowing for legalized Maine betting apps and gave the rights to the online market to the state’s indigenous tribes.
