Maine inched closer to legalizing online casino video gaming, however a significant challenge remains.
- LD 1164 requires an 18% tax on online casino gaming operators.
- Gov. Janet Mills could ban the costs, most likely ending Maine's opportunities of legalizing iGaming this year.
- The proposal took a winding political road to reach the unique appropriations table.
The state's Senate, accepting your home, placed approved LD 1164, an iGaming expense, on the "special appropriations table" Wednesday. The proposal is one of 100 costs headed to Gov. Janet Mills' desk, the Maine Morning Star reported. Mills has 10 days to sign and enact the iGaming step.
However, Mills might veto the expense, and the legislature, which already adjourned, would likely not override it this year. While she hasn't spoken publicly about the legislation, Mills hasn't preferred other video gaming initiatives. She shot down 2 sports wagering attempts before reaching a compromise to enable legal sportsbooks to operate in 2022.
There is already noted opposition to the proposition. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Gambling Control Board Chair affirmed against the costs, offering concerns about issue gaming and economic impacts to in-person casinos. In a state where DraftKings and Caesars run online sports betting through tribal collaborations, FanDuel, Fanatics, and BetMGM likewise refuted the law.
Creating 'financial chance'
LD 1164 is "an act to create economic opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations through web video gaming." Four licenses would go to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Penobscot Nation, Mi'kmaq Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. The people would then partner with iGaming operators.
DraftKings and Caesars both operate online casinos in other U.S. jurisdictions, making them most likely candidates to benefit immediately from legal iGaming in Maine.
Online gambling establishment business would pay the state an 18% tax rate on their adjusted gaming revenue. That would create an approximated $1.8 million in Year 1 and $3.6 million in financial year 2026-2027, according to a fiscal note contributed to the bill.
Maine's online sports wagering operators created over $93.7 million in income from more than $835 million in bets because 2023. The Pine Tree 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. The House committee killed the bill in April, but it was resurrected during June's special session, when it was changed to increase the tax rate from 16% to 18%.
After passing your house, the Senate pushed it through without a majority vote, leaving your house to enact it. Sen. Peggy Rotundo motioned to put the procedure on the unique appropriations table, stalling it while lawmakers were still writing the state budget.
Rotundo stayed away from voting on passing the proposal, leaving it to stop working by one vote, before keeping it alive by voting against a movement to reject the expense. After Rotundo removed it from the unique appropriations table, the Senate finally passed it and moved it along.
