Maine governor Janet Mills yesterday announced her intention to approve the bill authorising Maine’s Wabanaki Nations to exclusively operate online casinos in the state.
The bill, An Act to Create Economic Opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations (LD 1164), allows the Tribes to partner with a commercial operator to offer igaming.
A similar bill was signed by Mills in 2022 allowing the Tribes to operate online sports wagering in the Pine Tree State.
As it stands, only DraftKings and Caesars are live with online sports betting in the state.
Maine becomes the eighth US state to legalise online casino after Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia.
Operators in Maine will face an 18% tax rate as per the bill.
Maine, with its population of around 1.4 million people, is one of the smaller states in the US.
LD1164 was first introduced in April 2025 but was subsequently shelved by the Joint Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee.
Mills had the opportunity to sign the bill before the adjournment of the state legislature last summer, but chose to defer.
The governor’s administration warned last year that the bill could be vetoed. It has faced opposition from Maine’s two brick-and-mortar casinos, Hollywood Casino in Bangor and Oxford Casino.
“This fall, I met with the five elected Chiefs of the Wabanaki Nations, who each spoke passionately about the importance of this bill in offering life-changing revenue for Tribal communities, as well as providing a form of economic sovereignty for their Nations,” said Governor Mills.
“I considered this bill carefully, and while I have concerns about the impacts of gambling on public health, I believe that this new form of gambling should be regulated, and I am confident that Maine’s Gambling Control Unit will develop responsible rules and standards to hold providers of this new form of gambling accountable while ensuring that Maine’s tribes benefit from its operations.
“It has always been my strong desire to work with Tribal leaders to improve the lives and livelihoods of the Wabanaki Nations, and it is my hope that this new revenue will do just that.”
Chief William Nicholas Sr. of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township said: “Governor Mills’ support for historic advances in tribal economic development, particularly her decision to allow LD 1164 to become law, marks an economic turning point for the Passamaquoddy people and for all Wabanaki Nations.”
The National Association Against iGaming slammed Mill’s approval of the bill, stating it was “deeply disappointed” by the “misguided” decision.
The body added: “The National Association Against iGaming, alongside a broad coalition of allies, will lead efforts to overturn this law through Maine’s People’s Veto process.
“We are confident that when given the opportunity, Maine voters will reject this misguided expansion and reaffirm their commitment to responsible gaming policy grounded in transparency, caution and accountability.”
The post Maine to become eighth US online casino state after governor approval first appeared on EGR Intel.
Bill had faced several setbacks after its initial introduction in April of last year, but is due to be passed at the start of the new legislative session
The post Maine to become eighth US online casino state after governor approval first appeared on EGR Intel.