Maine is on the verge of a major shift in its gambling landscape after Governor Janet Mills confirmed she will allow LD 1164 to become law, setting the state on course to legalize real-money online casinos. If implemented, the move would make Maine the eighth US state to permit iGaming and place it among a small group of jurisdictions willing to expand digital casino gambling despite growing public unease nationwide.
The Tribal-Led Path
The legislation establishes a model built around tribal exclusivity, granting Maine’s four federally recognised Wabanaki tribes sole rights to operate online casinos. These include the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik, the Mi’kmaq Nation, the Penobscot Nation, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. The structure closely follows Maine’s existing online sports betting framework, where tribes partner with major commercial operators to bring regulated products to market.
Given that all four tribes already work with DraftKings and Caesars in sports betting, those same brands are widely expected to play a central role in any future online casino rollout. That would likely see well-known platforms such as DraftKings Casino and Caesars Palace Online Casino introduced to Maine players.
Expanding Access to Digital Casino Play
Once live, the new market would allow residents to play a full range of online casino games, including slots, blackjack, roulette, and online poker. As seen in other regulated states, operators are likely to rely heavily on bonuses, free spins, and loyalty offers to attract users and build long-term engagement.
From a commercial perspective, the move aligns Maine with a sector that has delivered strong growth elsewhere in the US, where online casinos have consistently generated higher margins and faster revenue growth than many land-based properties.
Dealing with Opposition and Regulatory Caution
Despite the bill’s progress, the expansion has been contentious. The Maine Gambling Control Board previously urged the governor to veto LD 1164, warning that limiting online casino licences to tribal operators could disadvantage the state’s two physical casinos, Hollywood Casino Bangor and Oxford Casino. The regulator also raised concerns about potential job losses and an increased risk of gambling harm linked to 24/7 digital access.
Those warnings echo broader national debates, as several states have stalled or rejected iGaming proposals amid fears around addiction, consumer protection, and social impact. Maine’s decision, therefore, places it slightly at odds with regional neighbors that have opted to move more cautiously.
When Could Online Casinos Launch?
There is still no firm timeline for when online casinos might go live. Maine’s online sports betting market took around 18 months to launch after legislation was approved, suggesting a similar timeframe could apply here. While some industry observers believe an earlier rollout is possible due to existing partnerships and infrastructure, others see 2026 or even 2027 as a more realistic window.
If the framework holds, Maine’s approach would reinforce the growing role of tribal partnerships in US digital gambling, while also testing public and regulatory tolerance for further iGaming expansion in the years ahead.
