Maine inched closer to legislating online casino video gaming, but a significant barrier remains.
- LD 1164 calls for an 18% tax on online casino video gaming operators.
- Gov. Janet Mills could veto the costs, likely ending Maine's possibilities of legalizing iGaming this year.
- The proposition took a winding political roadway to reach the unique appropriations table.
The state's Senate, accepting your home, put approved LD 1164, an iGaming bill, on the "unique appropriations table" Wednesday. The proposal is one of 100 bills 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 veto the bill, 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 preferred other video gaming initiatives. She shot down two sports betting efforts before reaching a compromise to enable legal sportsbooks to operate in 2022.
There is currently noted opposition to the proposal. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Gambling Control panel Chair testified versus the bill, offering issues about issue betting and economic impacts to in-person gambling establishments. In a state where DraftKings and Caesars operate online sports wagering through tribal collaborations, FanDuel, Fanatics, and BetMGM likewise refuted the law.
Creating 'economic opportunity'
LD 1164 is "an act to produce economic chance 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 run online casinos in other U.S. jurisdictions, making them most likely candidates to benefit instantly from legal iGaming in Maine.
Online casino companies would pay the state an 18% tax rate on their changed gaming earnings. That would generate an approximated $1.8 million in Year 1 and $3.6 million in financial year 2026-2027, according to a financial note contributed to the bill.
Maine's online sports betting operators created over $93.7 million in earnings from more than $835 million in bets since 2023. The Evergreen State filled its coffers with over $9 million from the 10% tax rate on sportsbooks.
Windy roadway
Getting LD 1164 to Mills' desk wasn't simple. Your house committee eliminated the costs in April, but it was resurrected during June's special session, when it was amended to increase the tax rate from 16% to 18%.
After passing your house, the Senate pressed it through without a bulk vote, leaving your home to enact it. Sen. Peggy Rotundo motioned to put the measure on the table, stalling it while lawmakers were still composing 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 motion to reject the expense. After Rotundo removed it from the special appropriations table, the Senate lastly passed it and moved it along.
