Maine’s iGaming Bill Stalls in Committee
Maine’s push to legalize online casinos hit a solid roadblock, when LD 1164 got shelved by the Joint Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs. As first reported by SBC Americas, the bill, dubbed “An Act to Create Economic Opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations Through Internet Gaming,” went down with a unanimous vote to table it during a Monday session.
LD 1164 Hits a Wall
Introduced just last week, LD 1164 quick stall leaves iGaming off the table for now in the Pine Tree State.
This isn’t LD 1164’s first stumble. Last year, a reworked version cleared the Senate after tweaks but tanked in the House, 75-70. This time, sponsors bumped the tax rate from 10% to 16%, hoping to win over lawmakers with bigger state payouts for gambling oversight, addiction programs, homelessness aid, and more.
Even with that juice, the Joint Committee didn’t bite, opting to kick the can down the road instead of moving it forward.
What the Bill Aimed For
LD 1164 had a clear game plan: hand the Wabanaki Nations, four federally recognized tribes in Maine, exclusive rights to run online casino games.
Each tribe would snag one license to team up with an operator, mirroring their current setup with online sports betting. Three tribes already partner with Caesars Sportsbook, and one links with DraftKings, pulling in a hefty $500 million handle in 2024.
The bill eyed games like blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, and baccarat, all digital, accessible via apps or websites, no physical casino slots or table games, lotteries, or sports bets included.
The Maine Gambling Control Unit, which handles mobile sports betting and fantasy sports, would’ve taken charge here too, setting rules and checking player IDs.
Beyond cash for the tribes, the bill promised tax revenue to fund state needs. Last year’s flop showed the concept’s got legs, but not enough to cross the finish line, yet the committee’s freeze kills any 2025 shot.
Why It Stalled
The unanimous vote to table LD 1164 hints at cold feet. Lawmakers didn’t spell out why, but last year’s House rejection points to shaky support. Tribes like the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy have pushed for gaming rights to boost their economies, sports betting’s $500 million proves the potential, but not everyone’s on board.
Maine’s two brick-and-mortar casinos, Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino Bangor, might’ve flexed against it, fearing a digital rival. Plus, the 16% tax bump might’ve spooked some who wanted more study first.
Timing’s tight too. Maine’s legislative session wraps in June, and stalling now leaves little room to regroup. Governor Janet Mills hasn’t weighed in hard, but her past veto of tribal gaming expansions, like a 2022 sports betting tweak, suggests she’s not rushing to sign off. Without a big push from her or the tribes’ allies, LD 1164’s stuck in limbo.
The bill’s not dead forever – just sidelined. The committee didn’t kill it outright, so it could pop back in 2026. For now, Maine’s iGaming hopes hinge on the Wabanaki Nations keeping the pressure on. Their sports betting success ($500 million in a year) shows the cash is there, but online casinos need more than tribal backing to break through. Oxford and Hollywood Casino keep their edge, while offshore sites likely keep siphoning untracked bets.
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