Maine Lawmakers Approve iGaming, Yet Veto Possibility Exists

• The Maine legislature approved iGaming exclusively for the Wabanaki Nations
• If signed into law, the bill will allow the four tribes of the Wabanaki Nations to offer iGaming
• However, Gov. Janet Mills (D) may not an appetite for expanded gaming

Maine lawmakers brought an iGaming bill back from the dead last month and ushered it through the final legal stages last night.

The Maine House and Senate approved LD 1164, a bill to legalize iGaming for the four tribes of the Wabanaki Nations, after the legislation had been shelved before the state’s legislative session was adjourned on March 20.

However, several reports are claiming Gov. Janet Mills (D) may exercise her rights to veto the bill.

Strange Path to iGaming Legalization

The bill, LD 1164, was considered earlier in the year but made little headway. It was resurrected by the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee last month after Gov. Mills directed lawmakers to come back for a special session to discuss the state’s upcoming budget.

The Maine Senate approved the bill earlier this month by an 85-59 vote, but the Senate took a strange route to passing the iGaming law. The Senate split on the bill initially, tabling it on June 12. The Senate took the bill back up on Monday, attempting to reject it outright, but a vote fell short. Members of the Senate ultimately passed the bill without a roll call, took it up again late Monday night, but a motion to reconsider failed 17-18.

Following legislative protocol, both the House and Senate followed the recommendation of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee and approved the bill.

If signed into law, Maine will become the eighth state in the country with legalized iGaming.

iGaming Bill Details

The new piece of legislation will grant exclusive iGaming control to the four tribes of the Wabanaki Nations – the Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy tribes – similar to have Maine lawmakers approved sports betting.

Each of the four tribes will be allowed to partner with a third-party operator for its iGaming platforms. Tribes can offer online games not limited to blackjack, poker, dice, craps, roulette or baccarat.

The games will be taxed at a rate of 16%. Maine will earmark iGaming funds to address problem gaming programs, substance use disorder, veteran housing, and emergency housing relief. A fiscal note for the bill reports the state can expect $3,600,000 in new tax revenues by fiscal year 2026-2027.

However, the bill still needs to be signed into law.

Potential Veto Challenges?

According to the Maine Morning Star, Gov. Mills is currently “monitoring” the bill and the possibility of a veto still exists. Wabanaki leaders believe there many not be much of an appetite for expanded gaming in Maine, which could lead to the governor exercising her veto rights.

Additionally, Churchill Dows and Penn Entertainment both operator brick-and-mortar casinos in the state and likely oppose the bills legalization. Brick-and-mortar casino operators tend to oppose the legalization of iGaming, citing cannibalization concerns for revenues and jobs.