Maine Online Casino Launch in Q1 2027 a ‘Practical’ Option Says MGCU Director

It’s been 10 months since Maine online casinos became legal, but now there is finally some idea of when the first iGaming platforms could be available in the state.

According to the Maine Gambling Control Unit Executive Director Milton Champion, Maine online casinos could potentially launch in the first quarter of 2027.

Champion Sees Q1 of 2027 as ‘Practical’ Option

Last January, Maine Governor Janet Mills allowed LD 1164 to pass, making Maine the eighth state to legalize online casinos in the US.

Since then, there has been a lot of questions about when iGaming will actually launch in the state.

This week, Champion spoke with Gambling Insider and provided clarification on when Maine residents can expect online casinos to be available.

When asked about a potential 2026 launch, Champion noted that “the first quarter of 2027 is more practical” when it comes to iGaming’s debut in Maine.

The reason behind the timeline is the MGCU releasing its latest rules update at the end of September. Comments or issues with the latest rules have to be issued by the end of October. Should there be no major issues, Maine’s Attorney General can review the rules. The AG’s office is given 120 days to complete the task.

Should any notable changes to these latest rules be required, it would start the cycle over again and potentially push the iGaming launch further into 2027.

MGCU Permits Out-of-State Live Dealer Studios

Another development in recent weeks came from the Maine Gambling Control Unit.

In this third edition of the rules for online casino gaming, the MGCU indicated that live dealer studios can be operated outside of state boundaries. The studio will just need to be approved by the MGCU director.

Many iGaming states require the live dealer studios to operate within that state, as it creates additional jobs for casino employees and helps minimize the impact to retail casino staff.

This new addition to the online casino rules will give the tribes more flexibility for how they provide live dealer games and open them up to more gaming options.

The new MGCU rules also dictate more details on marketing restrictions to prevent advertising of iGaming for people under 21 years of age. That include not being able to market on college campuses in Maine.

An automated self-exclusion program is also to be included, with operators being required to use a third-party system to add or remove players from the state’s self-exclusion list.

Expected Maine Online Casino Operators

Once iGaming does eventually launch in Maine, four different Wabanaki Nation tribes will be allowed to offer the product.

Already, three of the four tribes have announced partnerships with Caesars Entertainment to offer one of the three online casino options from Caesars. That means Maine will have:

• Caesars Palace Online Casino
• Horseshoe Online Casino
• Caesars Sportsbook & Online Casino

The fourth option is expected to be DraftKings Casino, as the operator already operates an online sportsbook with the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the fourth iGaming license holder.

Lawsuit to Stop Maine Online Casinos Still Exists

Shortly after online casinos became legal in Maine, one of the commercial casinos filed a lawsuit in attempt to stop it.

Churchill Downs Inc., owners of Oxford Casino Hotel in Maine are attempting to block iGaming with a lawsuit that the law creates a “race-based monopoly” for iGaming by excluding the two commercial casino operators from being able to offer online casino gambling.

When Maine established retail casino gaming, the Wabanaki Nation tribes were excluded from being able to offer casino gaming on their lands. That led to Maine lawmakers permitting the tribes only to offer iGaming.

The Wabanaki Nation was added to the lawsuit as a defendant in April. They argue this lawsuit violates their ability to provide for their respective communities.

This lawsuit doesn’t have to have a decision in order for online casinos to launch in Maine. Operators could launch and then the lawsuits outcome could pause, or end, iGaming. But, until then, it looks like Maine is going to pursue a 2027 launch as long as rules and regulations are approved.