Two competing measures will likely determine how Maine balances tribal progress and the rise of gambling
Maine is facing a critical crossroads regarding its gambling laws as state lawmakers and residents weigh in on the expansion of online betting. At the center of the debate is LD 1164, a bill that would allow the Wabanaki Nations to offer online casino games. Governor Janet Mills has a narrow window this January to decide whether to sign the measure, veto it, or let it pass without her signature.
The state’s Gambling Control Board has taken a firm stand by formally asking the governor to veto the proposal. Board members are worried that the bill creates an unfair monopoly by granting exclusive rights to tribal nations while shutting out Maine’s two commercial casinos. They argue that excluding Oxford and Hollywood Casinos could lead to significant job losses for the nearly 1,000 Mainers they employ.
According to regulators, Oxford Casino alone could lose over 100 jobs if the bill becomes law. This economic concern is paired with a sharp rise in problem gambling across the state.
Data shows that self-exclusion numbers jumped from 133 in 2022 to nearly 500 recently, leading experts to warn that making casino games more accessible via mobile devices could worsen this trend.
While the iGaming debate continues, a separate proposal called LD 2007 seeks to ban online sweepstakes casinos entirely. These sites often use dual-currency systems to bypass traditional gambling laws, and state officials have already branded them as illegal.
