Maine's Legalized IGaming Bill Faces Last Major Obstacle
Maine inched closer to legalizing online casino video gaming, however a major challenge remains.
- LD 1164 calls for an 18% tax on online casino video gaming operators.
- Gov. Janet Mills could ban the expense, likely ending Maine's opportunities of iGaming this year.
- The proposition took a winding political roadway to reach the unique appropriations table.
The state's Senate, accepting your house, positioned authorized LD 1164, an iGaming expense, on the "special appropriations table" Wednesday. The proposition is among 100 costs headed to Gov. Janet Mills' desk, the Maine Morning Star reported. Mills has 10 days to sign and enact the iGaming procedure.
However, Mills might ban the costs, and the legislature, which currently adjourned, would likely not override it this year. While she hasn't spoken openly about the legislation, Mills hasn't favored other gaming efforts. She shot down 2 sports betting attempts before reaching a compromise to allow legal sportsbooks to operate in 2022.
There is already noted opposition to the proposal. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Gambling Control Board Chair affirmed versus the expense, providing concerns about problem gambling and financial impacts to in-person casinos. In a state where DraftKings and Caesars run online sports wagering through tribal partnerships, FanDuel, Fanatics, and BetMGM likewise refuted the law.
Creating 'financial chance'
LD 1164 is "an act to develop economic opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations through internet gaming." Four licenses would go to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Penobscot Nation, Mi'kmaq Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. The tribes would then partner with iGaming operators.
DraftKings and Caesars both operate online gambling establishments in other U.S. jurisdictions, making them likely candidates to benefit right away from legal iGaming in Maine.
Online gambling establishment business would pay the state an 18% tax rate on their changed gaming revenue. That would produce an estimated $1.8 million in Year 1 and $3.6 million in financial year 2026-2027, according to a financial note added to the costs.
Maine's online sports wagering operators created over $93.7 million in income from more than $835 million in bets considering that 2023. The Evergreen State filled its coffers with over $9 million from the 10% tax rate on sportsbooks.
Windy road
Getting LD 1164 to Mills' desk wasn't easy. Your house committee eliminated the expense in April, however it was resurrected during June's special session, when it was modified to increase the tax rate from 16% to 18%.
After passing your home, the Senate pressed it through without a majority vote, leaving the House to enact it. Sen. Peggy Rotundo motioned to position the procedure on the special appropriations table, stalling it while legislators were still writing the state budget.
Rotundo avoided voting on passing the proposal, leaving it to stop working by one vote, before keeping it alive by voting versus a movement to turn down the costs. After Rotundo eliminated it from the unique appropriations table, the Senate lastly passed it and moved it along.