Sports betting in Maine is expected to launch in November of this year.
The bill to allow sports betting was approved by Governor Janet Mills in May of 2022 and became law in August of last year.
Milt Champion, Director of Maine's Gambling Control Unit, released the proposed rules for gambling in January and said at the time that it was important to move slowly to get it right. Until now, no timeline had been given for the launch of sports betting in Maine.
Champion (who recently returned from suspension) has said sports betting in Maine is expected to generate between $3.8m and $6.9m in revenue for the state.
Following a public hearing in January and a public comment period that concluded last month, the Gambling Control Unit said final rules have now been submitted to the Maine Attorney General's Office for legal review, "with an anticipated adoption in November 2023."
In total, 38 states out of 50 have already legalized sports gambling in the US (although some, like Maine, are yet to launch). Temporary or initial licenses will be issued on the day of adoption, to allow licensees to go live and offer wagers on sports.
Mills decided to give the Native American Tribes in Maine control of the mobile and online sports betting market. Mobile and online wagering is expected to account for 85% of the sports betting market in Maine, providing continuous revenue for the Tribes.
Each Tribe can select its own vendor, meaning there could be up to four licenses for the Penobscot Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribes at Indian Township and Pleasant Point, Houlton Band of Maliseets and Mi’kmaq.
