Maine residents will finally be allowed to bet on sports later this year.
November 2023 will see the launch of sports betting in Maine after an announcement by the Gambling Control Unit.
Governor Janel Mills signed the legislation in May last year. Sports betting officially became legal on August 2nd, 2022.
Rules are now in place for sports betting in Maine after a public hearing in January. Maine’s Attorney General’s Office is currently looking over the rules, with the anticipated launch expected to be in November.
A specific date for the launch has not been announced. Maine Gambling Control Unit’s director, Milt Champion has states it’s important to take time before launching sports betting to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Licenses will be issued on the day sports betting goes live.
“I know this is a hot topic. I know everybody wants it out during the Super Bowl or during March Madness. But let’s face it. It’s just not going to happen”, Champion said earlier in the year.
Online sports betting and mobile are controlled by the Native American tribes in Maine. A move was seen by many to stay in good favor with the local Native American tribes by Gov. Janet Mills after she vetoed a proposal for greater sovereignty.
The expected windfall for the tribes is approx. 85% of all mobile and online sports betting in Maine. Four different tribes will be awarded a license, with each allowed to pick its own vendor.
Off-track betting parlors and two casinos already in Maine, Bangor, and Oxford, will be allowed to request licenses.
Somewhere between $3.8 million and $6.9 million is the expected revenue from sports betting in Maine. Other legal gambling entities including casinos brought in $64 million in 2022.
Most states are allowing online sports betting due to the expected revenue that will be brought in.
