Maine may have a small population, but this doesn’t mean that its appetite for gambling is small. Although there are currently no legal Maine sports betting options available, residents of the Pine Tree State are known for their liberal attitude towards gambling expansion, giving us hope for the future of sports betting.
It is the purpose of this guide to only recommend legal and licensed sports betting sites. Therefore, as we are unable to suggest you sign up for a Maine legal online sportsbook, we’ve instead focused on the current gambling laws, other available betting options, and the future outlook for sports betting.
What Betting Options are Legal for Maine Residents
Contents
There are a number of legal gambling alternatives available for locals until Maine sports betting is legalized. These include horse race betting, slot and table game casino gamble, daily fantasy sports, and the lottery. Unfortunately, online gambling is not permitted in Maine, meaning it may be some time until a Maine legal online sportsbook is available.
Is Daily Fantasy Legal in Maine?
In 2015, Maine became the 15th state to officially declare daily fantasy sports (DFS) a game of skill and in turn, legalize it. This meant that rather than allowing the games to continue in a legal gray area without regulations, players’ rights to legally bet on DFS would be protected, along with their safety.
Since then, a number of DFS sportsbooks have been able to operate in Maine, including DraftKings and FanDuel. As both of these operators also offer reputable sports betting sites, we hope that once sports betting is legalized in the state, both companies could offer a Maine legal online sportsbook.
Are There Legal Offshore Sites for Maine Players?
In the absence of any clear legal Maine online gambling options, locals may be tempted to sign up to offshore betting sites such as Bovada and MyBookie. It may seem like a good idea – after all, Maine law clearly outlines that taking part in unlicensed gambling isn’t illegal and therefore, not punishable.
However, without licenses, there is no guarantee that offshore operators are offering fair odds and are safe. In fact, Maine regulators consider offshore operators who accept Maine players to be the ones breaking the law. If these websites are accepting you, they are clearly not trustworthy as they are already breaking the law.
Casinos
Following a referendum in 2003, casino-style gaming was introduced to Maine. There are currently only two casino options available in the state. The first of these is called the Hollywood Casinos Hotel & Raceway in Bangor, while the other is called the Oxford Casino and is located in Oxford.
Initially, only slot machines were approved at the Bangor facility, though now both casinos also offer table games such as roulette, blackjack, and poker. Despite Maine being home to four federally-recognized tribes, there are no Native American casinos due to a Settlement Act that subjects tribes to state law.
Racetrack Betting
Maine’s horse racing history dates back to 1983 when thoroughbred races were first held at Bass Park in Bangor. In 1935, the state officially legalized sports betting, and 15 years later the Scarborough Downs debuted its first flat track and became the first night racing venue on the East Coast.
Since the Bangor Raceway was approved in 2003, Maine’s residents have had two raceways to bet at. In addition to this, there are four off-track betting parlors that take bets for races, though online wagering is not legal. Hosting and betting on greyhound races is also illegal.
Card Rooms
There is only one poker room in Maine. This is located at the Hollywood Casino in Bangor and consists of four tables that run No-Limit Hold’em. Limit, Omaha, and 7-Card Stud are also available depending on player demand and availability. Tables are open every day between 10 AM and 3 AM.
Nearby States with Legal Sports Betting
Until there is legal online sports betting in Maine, players can always visit nearby legal states to place sports bets. There are no laws against betting in legal gambling jurisdictions, and with offshore betting being highly advised against, it may be time to start looking into a sports betting holiday.
Below, we’ve provided a list of the closest states that offer legal sports betting. The closest state with legal sports betting is New Hampshire, and given the fact that it allows mobile sports betting, this may be the easiest option.
- New Hampshire
- New York
- New Jersey
What Would Legal Sports Betting in Maine Look Like
At the beginning of 2020, lawmakers in both the House and Senate approved of a sports betting bill that would permit licensees sports betting in the state. Although it looked as though Maine would soon become the 22nd legal sports betting in the state, things would turn out differently.
The bill was vetoed by current Maine Governor Janet Mills. Mills was opposed to legal online sports betting in Maine, which the bill would have permitted, and to allowing outside operators such as DraftKings to offer mobile betting. Mills also disapproved of expanding gambling options without more discussion.
For the time being, lawmakers will need to go back to the drawing board to draft legislation that the Governor will approve of. This legislation will need to determine which licensing body will oversee the regulation of sports betting in the state and decide factors to ensure players’ safety and product fairness.
It is clear that there is a legislative desire to introduce a Maine legal online sportsbook, but how this will happen is to be decided. In the case legislation passes, Mainers will be free to bet on major sports league games and possibly college division games.
What Are the Maine Gambling Laws
In the last decade, Maine has proven itself quite progressive when it comes to gambling. The Maine gambling laws were majorly changed in 2010, when voters approved to expand available gambling options to table games at the state’s two casinos. That being said, a bill looking to allow for Maine tribes to offer gambling in 2014 failed.
Maine law defines gambling as staking or putting something of value at risk on the outcome of a game of chance or an unknown event, with the hope to receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome. Rather than outlawing all forms of gambling, the state makes concessions for specific activities.
| Betting Type | Law |
|---|---|
| Sports Betting | Not Legal |
| Online Sports Betting | Not Legal |
| Online Casino | Not Legal |
| Poker | Legal |
| Racetrack Betting | Legal |
| Maine Gambling Age | 18+ for Lottery, DFS, Horse Racing, 21+ for Casinos |
As the above table shows, Maine’s gambling laws aren’t exactly open to allowing online gambling. This is true for both online sports betting and online casino gambling. Although recent attempts at sports betting legalization pushed for online wagering, this seems to be a controversial ask in the state.
Both locals and visitors are able to enjoy legal forms of gambling provided they meet the minimum age requirements. In order to buy lottery tickets, play DFS, or wager on horse races, players must be over 18 years old. To bet on casino games including slots and poker, players must be over 21 years old.
What is the Future of Sports Betting in Maine?
If the latest attempts to legalize Maine sports betting tells us anything, it’s that there is plenty of support for creating a sports betting market in the state. Overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and Senate proves that legislators see the potential of legal online sports betting in Maine.
That being said, Maine’s Governor either needs to approve of the bill, or members of the Senate must all agree to override the Governor’s veto. Until lawmakers can find a compromise, players are limited to betting at neighboring legal sport betting states such as New Hampshire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have questions about Maine sports betting and other legal online betting options in the state? Below, we have answered some common questions that are often asked about Maine gambling laws to ensure that you can gamble safely and fairly without fear of breaking the law.
Is online gambling and sports betting legal in Maine?
No, online gambling and sports betting are not legal in Maine. Although a recent sports betting bill looked to allow for both of these, the bill was stopped before being signed into law. A major issue seems to be around the online nature of gambling that the bill would permit, so while sports betting will likely be a reality, online gambling may not.
What is the Maine legal gambling age?
There are two minimum gambling ages in Maine. In order to sign up for a DFS account, buy a lottery ticket and claim a lottery prize, and gamble on horse races, players must be over 18 years old. In order to gamble on table games and slots, players must be over 21 years old.
Are offshore bookmaker sites legal and safe?
No, offshore bookmakers are neither legal nor safe. While Maine does not consider the use of unlicensed gambling games to be a criminal act, it does consider operators offering unlicensed gaming to be breaking the law. If an unlicensed bookie accepts you knowing you’re from Maine, this is a sign that it is running an untrustworthy operation and you should not trust it with your money.
Can I play at a Maine online sportsbook if I am not in the state?
Until there is a Maine online sportsbook made legal, it is hard to know whether or not the law would permit you to do this. If it is anything like neighboring state New Hampshire, you would not be able to as New Hampshire’s sports betting is run by the state lottery. This means only in-state players can make wagers and accept prizes, and all outside IP addresses will be blocked.
Can I use the FanDuel or DraftKings app in Maine?
Both FanDuel and DraftKings are legal websites in Maine, though you can only use them to access daily fantasy sports. As both are trusted sportsbooks all over the country, we hope that if mobile sports betting is legalized in the state, they would be accepted as legal Maine sports betting apps.